Antifungal and antibacterial compositions of certain imidazoles and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

1. A COMPOSITION FOR COMBATTING FUNGI AND BACTERIA COMPRISING AN INERT CARRIEER AND AS AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT AN EFFECTIVE ANTI-FUNGAL OR ANTI-BACTERIAL AMOUNT OF A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A 1-(B-ARYL) ETHYLIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVE HAVING THE FORMULA:   1-(AR&#39;&#39;-(CH2)N-NH-CH(-AR)-C(-R1)(-R2)-),2-R&#39;&#39;,R&#34;-IMIDAZOLE   AND THE THERAPEUTICALLY ACTIVE AND ADDITION SALTS THEREOF WHEREIN: R1 AND R2 ARE EACH A MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HYDROGEN AND LOWER ALKYL; N IS THE INTEGER ZERO, 1 OR 2; AR IS A MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF PHENYL, MONO-, DI AND TRI-HALOPHENYL, LOWER ALKYLPHENYL, LOWER ALKOXYPHENYL, THIENYL AND HALOTHIENYL; AR&#39;&#39; IS A MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF PHENYL, MONO-, DI- AND TR-HALOPHENYL, MONO- AND DI(LOWER ALKYL)-PHENYL, LOWER ALKOXYPHENYL, AYANOPHENYL, MONO- AND DI-NITROPHENYL, AMINOPHENYL, AND A-TETRALYL, PROVIDED THAT, WHEN SAID AR&#39;&#39; IS A -TETRALYL, THEN SAID N IS ZERO; R&#39;&#39; IS A MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HYDROGEN, METHYL AND ETHYL; AND R&#34; IS A MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTNG OF HYDROGEN AND METHYL.

US. Cl. 424-273 United States Patent 015cc 3,839,574 ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL COMPOSI- TIONS OF CERTAIN IMIDAZOLES AND METH- ODS OF USING SAME Erik Fred Godefroi and Jan Heeres, Turnhout, Belgium,

assignors to Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., Beerse,

Belgium No Drawing. Application July 23, 1969, Ser. No. 848,767,

now Patent No. 3,717,655, which is a continuation-inpart of abandoned application Ser. No. 753,729, Aug. 19, 1968. Divided and this application June 19, 1972,

Ser. No. 279,102 7 Int. Cl. A01n 9/22 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The compounds are of the class of l-(fl-arynethylimidazolo ethers and amines useful for their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activity.

This application is a divisional of our co-pending application Ser. No. 848,767, filed July 23, 1969 (issued as US. Pat. No. 3,717,655 on Feb. 20, 1973) which in turn is a continuation-in-part of our formerly co-pending application, Ser. No. 753,729, filed Aug. 19, 1968, now abandoned.

This invention relates to novel imidazole derivatives and, more particularly, to 1-(fl-aryl)ethyl-imidazole ethers and amines having the following formula:

wherein:

R, R and R are each a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl;

X is a member selected from the group consisting of oxy and NH;

n is the integer zero, 1 or 2;

Ar is amember selected from the group consisting of phenyl, substituted phenyl, thienyl and halothienyl, said substituted phenyl containing at least one phenyl substituent selected from the group consisting of halo, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy;

Ar is a member selected from the group consisting of phenyl, substituted phenyl and ix-tetralyl, said substituted phenyl containing at least one phenyl substituent selected from the group consisting of halo, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, cyano, nitro and amino;

R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl; and

R" is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl;

provided that:

(i) when said X is NH, then said R is hydrogen;

(ii) when said At is a substituted phenylcontaining at least one phenyl substituent selected from-the group consisting of nitro and amino, then said X is oxy and said n is zero;

(iii) when said AI is m-tetralyl, then said X is NH and said n-is zero; and a 3,839,574 Patented Oct. 1, 1974 The therapeutically active acid addition salts of the foregoing compounds (I) are also embraced within the scope of this invention.

As used herein, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy may be straight or branch chained saturated hydrocarbons having from 1 to about 6 carbons, such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl and the like alkyls, and, respectively, the corresponding alkoxys such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, etc. Thepreferred lower alkyl and lower alkoxy are methyl and methoxy, respectively. The term halo refers to halogens of atomic weight less than 127, i.e., fluoro, iodo, bromo and chloro. The preferred substituted phenyls with regard to the symbol Ar are mono-, diand trihalophenyl, lower alkylphenyl and lower alkoxyphenyl; and mono-, diand tri-halophenyl, monoand di-(lower alkyl) phenyl, lower alkoxyphenyl, cyanophenyl, monoand dinitrophenyl and aminophenylwith regard to the symbol The amines of formula (I), that is, when X- is -NH-, are readily obtained by the reductive amination of an appropriate l-(aroyl-methyl)-imidazole of formula (11), wherein R R R, R" and Ar are as previously of an appropriate acid, e.g., p-toluenesulfonic acid. After the evolution of water has ceased, the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is evaporated otf and the residual product (IV) is transferred to a lower alkanol solvent and reduced to the corresponding amine (I-a), for example, by treatment with a suitable reducing agent, such as a complex metal hydride, e.g., potassium borohydride, sodium borohydride and the like, or by catalytic hydrogenation, e.g., by contact with hydrogen and a palladium-on-charcoal catalyst. The amine product is easily recovered from the reaction mixture according to conventional isolation procedures either as the free base, or, if so desired, in the form of an acid addition salt by treatment of the base with a suitable acid. The foregoing reductive amination sequence may be further illustrated by the following schematic diagram:

(II) (1m reduction N I R,

The ethers of formula (I), that is, when X-- is oxy, are easily prepared by the O-alkylation of an appropriate a-Ar-imidazole-l-ethanol of formula (V), wherein R, R R R, R" and Ar are as previously described, for example, by contacting such alcohol (V), the hydroxyl of which has been preliminarily converted to alkali metal salt form by treatment with an appropriate strong base such as an alkali metal amide or hydride, with an appropriate halide of formula (VI), wherein n is as previously described, Y is halo, preferably chloro or bromo, and Ar' is as previously described with the exception of aminophenyl. Suitable solvents for the O-alkylation procedure include the aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene and the like; the dialkylformamides, e.g., dimethylformamide and diethylformamide; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane and the like; and hexamethylphosphor-triamide. Elevated temperatures may be advantageously employed to accelerate the rate of reaction. As with the amines of formula (I-a), the resulting ethers (I-b) are easily recovered in the form of the free base or as an acid addition salt. The foregoing O-alkylation procedure may be illustrated by the following schematic diagram:

The formula (I) ethers, wherein Ar is aminophenyl, are obtained by reduction of the corresponding nitrophenyl ethers of formula (I-b) according to conventional procedures for reducing a nitro function to an amino function, for example, by catalytic hydrogenation, such as by contact with hydrogen and a palladium-on charcoal catalyst in ethanol, or by contact with nascent hydrogen, such as is produced by the action of an appropriate metal and acid, e.g., zinc and acetic acid, iron and aqueous ammonium chloride, tin and hydrochloric acid, and the like.

The starting ketones (II) may be prepared by several methods of synthesis. For example, the ketones (II) are obtainable from the following processes; wherein the symbols R R Y, R', R" and Ar are as previously defined:

A. The known material, N-acetyl-imidazole [see W. Otting, Ber. 89, 1940 (1956)], is contacted with a compound of the formula YCH COAr in a suitable organic solvent, e.g., acetonitrile,'and preferably under reflux conditions for a few hours. The solvent is subsequently evaporated off and the residue dissolved in water, filtering if necessary. The aqueous solution is treated with an appropriate base, e.g., sodium bicarbonate solution, until about pH 9 to precipitate the corresponding ketone: l-Aroylmethyl-imidazole. If desired, the resulting ketone may be dissolved in a suitable organic solvent and reprecipitated as an acid addition salt by conventional treatment with an acid; or

B. 2-R-4(5)-R"-Imidazole and a halide of the formula YCR R COAr are intimately contacted in a suitable solvent, e.g., dimethylformamide, lower alkanol and the like, from which mixture the desired ketone is precipitated by addition of water. Alternatively, a ketone of the formula HCR R COAr is first brominated with liquid bromine according to conventional technique to yield the compound BrCR R -SOAr which is then reacted with said 2-R'-4(5)-R"-imidazole;

C. The known material, ethyl 5-methylimidazole-4-carboxylate, in the form of an alkali metal salt, preferably sodium, is intimately contacted under reflux conditions with an appropriate 2-bromomethyl-2-Ar-1,3-dioxolan of the formula:

Br-C Ar (VII) in a suitable solvent, e.g., dimethylformamide, and in the presence of potassium iodide. The thus-obtained product, ethyl 1-(2-Ar-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl-5-methylimidazole-4-carboxylate:

ii EtO-C N Bil tion of carbon dioxide ceases. The thus-obtained -l-(2-- Ar- 1,3 -dioxolan-2-ylmethyl -5-methylimidazole mula (II):

N M l...

The starting alcohols (V) are also obtainable from sev eral methods of synthesis such as the following processes; wherein the symbols R, R R Y, R, R" and Ar are as previously defined.

A. The carbonyl function of the ketone (I) 'is reduced to a carbinol function by contact with a suitable reducing agent, for example, sodium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, and the like, in a suitable solvent, e.g., a lower alkanol; or

B. 2-R'-4(5 )-R"-Imidazole, in the form of an alkali metal salt, such as is obtained by treatment with sodium methoxide, is contacted with a compound of the formula Y-CR R CR(OH)Ar in a suitable organic solvent, e.g., dimethylformamide. Subsequent addition of Water to the reaction mixture precipitates the desired alcohol which is then isolated by conventional techniques; or

C. 2-R'-4(5)-R-Imidazole is contacted with a compound of the formula in a suitable organic solvent, e.g., a lower al'kanol, and

in the presence of a small amount of organic base, e.g.,

pyridine, to yield, as a precipitate upon the addition of water, the corresponding alcohol of formula (V), in which R, R and R all equal hydrogen.

Several of the reactant halides of formula (VII) have been reported in the literature [Feugeas Cl., Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr., 1963 (II), 2568; and Patel A. R., J. Pharm. Sc, 52 (6), 588493 (1963)]. Those that are not heretofore known may be easily prepared by first brominating a ketone of the formula: CH COAr, wherein .Ar is as and the like, to which a small amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid may be added. The following diagrammatic scheme further illustrates the foregoing reactions:

Due to the available asymmetric carbons present in the subject compounds (I), it is evident that their existence in the form of stereochemical isomers (enantiomorphs) obtained either in the form of the free bases or salts thereof. The salts are converted to the free bases in the usual manner, e.g., by reaction with alkali such as sodium or potassium hydroxide. The compounds in base form may be converted to their therapeutically useful acid addition salts by reaction with an appropriate acid, as, for example, an inorganic acid such as hydrohalic acid, i.e., hydrochloric, hydrobromic or hydroiodic acid; sulfuric, nitric or thiocyanic acid; a phosphoric acid; an organic acid such as acetic, propionic, glycolic, lactic, pyruvic, oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, benzoic, cinnamic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, hydroxyethanesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, salicylic, p-aminosalicylic, 2-phenoxybenzoic or Z-acetoxy benzoic acid.

The subject compounds of formula (I) and the acid addition salts thereof are useful agents in combatting fungi and bacteria as demonstrated by their broad spectrum of anti-fungal and anti-bacterial action. The data given in the following tables illustrate such activity. The method employed in obtaining the tabulated data is that reported by'Vanbreuseghem et al., Chemotherapia, 12, 107 (1967).

The tests On fungi were performed using Sabourauds liquid medium (1 g. of neopeptone Difco and 2 g. of glu- -cose Difco per ml. distilled water) in 16 x 160 mm.

test tubes, each containing 4.5 ml. of liquid medium, autoclaved at C. for 15 minutes. The drug to be tested is primarily dissolved in ethanol 50% at a concentration of 20 mg./ml. and afterwards diluted with sterile distilled water in order to obtain a concentration of 10 mg./ml. Successive decimal dilutions were made in distilled water. To each tube, containing 4.5 ml. of Sabourauds liquid medium, 0.5 m1. of a dilution of the drug was added in order to obtain 1000 500 100 10 and 1 per ml. medium (the symbol equals micrograms.) A control tube was prepared by adding 0.5 ml. distilled water to 4.5 ml. medium. The concentration of ethanol in the control tubes was the same as in those containing 1000 and 500 /ml. of the drug. The filamentous fungi were incubated at 25 C. for two to three weeks. A square block of 2 mm. side was cut and inoculated in the liquid me dium. A three day old culture on Sabourauds liquid medium was used for yeasts. The inoculum was 0.05 ml. per tube. All thecultures were made in duplicate and incubated at 25 C. for 14 days. The first readings were made after 7 days and the final ones after 14 days (the data given in Tables I and II are the final scores observed after 14 days for each compound at the concentration of 100 micrograms per milliliter culture). The score was established assuming a maximum growth for the control tube which was given score 4. The complete absence of growth after 14 days was scored 0, while growths equal to A1, /2 and of the controls were rated respectively 1, 2 and 3.

The tests on bacteria were performed on phenol red dextron broth medium (Difco) and on trypton broth medium (Difco) using the same decimal dilution technique as for fungistatic tests (100 /ml. and 10 /m1.). The inoculum size are 0.1 ml. from a 24 hours culture diluted A in distilled water for Streptococcus pyrogenes and 0.05 ml. for the other organisms. The results after 72 hours were rated as 1+ or 0, corresponding to the presence or the absence of growth. The data given in Table III hereafter illustrate such anti-bacterial action.

It is understood that the compounds in the following tables are not listed for purposes of limiting the invention thereto, but only to exemplify the useful properties of all the compounds within the scope of formula (I), including the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof.

Fungistatic activity (final score at 100 gJml.)

(CH2) nAr' Ar TABLE I.-AMINE-DERIVATIVES II F N IH2CHNH Ar Salt 1 00115 2 C5115 0 CeHs mmmmmm HHHHHHHHHHH 222 2-Thienyl.

Fungistatic activity (final score at 100 gJmL) CmHn: a-Tetralyl. 5 c C-iHaS Can- 10:

Salt

1 4-C1-C0H4 Microsporum cams 2 Tm'chophyton mentagrophytes 4 :Phialophora verrucosa; 6 Candida tropicalis 7 8 M10001" 9 Asp ergillus fmnigatua :Saprolegm'a.

TABLE II-a.-E'IHE R-DE RIVAIIVES a 1 Trichophyton rubmm Cryptococcus neoformans dida, albicans; Sporotrichum schenckii; 11

a For thg meanings of 1, 2, 3 to 11, see the footnote of the b C4H2Cls=5-ch10ro-2-thienyl. table relatmg to the corresponding amine-derivatives.

TABLE IIIb.-ETHER DERIVATIVES Bactericidal activity (final score at [.lg-IIDL) Compound? coocoocooocooo'i'o oooocoooao 'io'ioo'i'cco't'i'ooc'i'c +++coaoo+o Occoo'iocoocococo i'coooooooo For compound name, see footnotes at end of Table II-b.

NOTE.O=N0 growth. =Test not performed. Growth indicated.

In view of the aforementioned anti-fungal and antibacterial activities, this invention provides valuable compositions comprising the subject amines and ethers (I) or the acid addition salts thereof as the active ingredient in a solvent or a solid, semi-solid or liquid diluent or carrier, and, in addition, it provides an effective method of combatting fungus or bacterial growth by use of an effective anti-fungal or anti-bacterial amount of such amines and ethers (I) or salts thereof. The subject compounds can be used in suitable sol-vents or diluents, in the form of emulsions, suspensions, dispersions or ointments, on suitable solid or semi-solid carrier substances, in ordinary or synthetic soaps, detergents or dispersion media, if desired, together with other compounds having arachnicidal, insecticidal, ovicidal, fungicidal and/or bactericidal effects, or together with inactive additives.

Solid carrier substances which are suitable for the preparation of compositions in powder form include various inert, porous and pulverous distributing agents of inorganic or organic nature, such as, for example, tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, in the form of prepared chalk or ground limestone, kaolin, bole, bentonite, talcum, kieselguhr and boric acid; powdered cork, sawdust, and other fine pulverous materials of vegetables origin are also suitable carrier substances.

The active ingredient is mixed with these carrier substances, for example, by being ground therewith; alternatively, the inert carrier substance is impregnated with a solution of the active component in a readily volatile solvent and the solvent is thereafter eliminated by heating or by filtering with suction at reduced pressure. By adding wetting and/or dispersing agents, such as pulverous preparations can also be made readily wettable with water, so that suspensions are obtained.

Inert solvents used for the production of liquid preparations should preferably not be readily inflammable and should be as far as possible odorless and as far as possible non-toxic to warm-blooded animals or plants in the relevant surroundnigs. Solvents suitable for this purpose are high-boiling oils, for example, of vegetable origin, and lower-boiling solvents with a flash point of at least 30 C., such as, for example, isopropanol, dimethylsulfoxide, hy-

drogenated naphthalenes and alkylated naphalenes. It is,

of course, also possible to use mixtures of solvents. Solutions can be prepared in the usual way, if necessary, with assistance of solution promoters. Other liquid forms which can be used consist of emulsions or suspensions of the active compound in water or suitable inert solvents, or also concentrates for preparing such emulsions, which can be directly adjusted to the required concentration. For this purpose, the active ingredient is, for example, mixed with a dispersing or emulsifying agent. The active component can also be dissolved or dispersed in a suitable inert solvent and mixed simultaneously or subsequently with a dispersing or emulsifying agent.

It is also possible to use semi-solid carrier substances of a cream ointment, paste or waxlike nature, into which the active component can be incorporated, if necessary, with the aid of solution promoters and/or emulsifiers. Vaseline and other cream bases are examples of semisolid carrier substances.

Furthermore, it is possible for the active component to be used in the form of aerosols. For this purpose, the active component is dissolved or dispersed, if necessary, with the aid of suitable inert solvents as carrier liquids, such as difluorodichloromethane, which at atmospheric pressure boils at a temperature lower than room temperature, or in other volatile solvents. In this way, solutions under pressure are obtained which, when sprayed, yield aerosols which are particularly suitable for controlling or combatting fungi and bacteria, e.g., in closed chambers and storage rooms, and for application to vegetation for eradicating or for preventing infections by fungi or bacteria.

The subject compounds and compositions thereof can be applied by conventional methods. For example, a fun gus or bacterial growth or a material to be treated or to be protected against attack by fungus or bacterium can be treated with the subject compounds and the compositions thereof by dusting, sprinkling, spraying, brushing, dipping, smearing, impregnating or other suitable means.

When the subject compounds are employed in combination with suitable carriers, e.g., in solution, suspension, dust, powder, ointment, emulsion, and the like forms, a high activity over a very high range of dilution is observed. For example, concentrations of the active ingredient ranging from 0.1-10 percent by weight, based on the weight of composition employed, have been found effective in combatting fungi or bacteria. Of course, higher concentrations may also be employed as warranted by the particular situation.

The following examples are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the scope of the present invention. Unless otherwise stated, all parts are by weight.

EXAMPLE I A mixture of 11 parts of N-acetyl-imidazole and 19 parts of phenacylbromide in 40 parts of acetonitrile is stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo. The residue is taken up in hot water and the solution cooled and filtered. To the aqueous filtrate is added a solution of sodium carbonate in water till pH 9: the product is precipitated immediately. It is filtered off and recrystallized twice: first from hot water and then from a mixture of diisopropylether and 2-propanol, yielding l- (benzoyl-methyl)-imidazole; m.p. 114l17 C.

EXAMPLE II A. To a stirred and refluxing solution of 8.3 parts of l-acetyl-imidazole in 40 parts of acetonitrile is added portionwise 10.4 parts of 4-methyl-phenacylbromide. After the addition is complete, the whole is stirred and refluxed for 2 hours longer. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in Water. This aqueous phase is extracted with ether and then there is added to the aqueous phase sodium carbonate solution till pH 9. An oil is separated, which solidifies on scratching. The solid is filtered off and recrystallized from hot water (activated charcoal is added). The product is filtered off again, after cooling, and dried, yielding l-[(4-methyl-benzoyl)-methyl]-imidazole; mp. 133134 C.

B. Six parts of the ketone base are dissolved in 12 parts of warm acetone. To this warm solution is added 2-propanol previously saturated with hydrochloric acid and the salt is allowed to crystallize. The precipitated solid salt is filtered oflf and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and acetone, yielding 1-(4-methyl-benzoylmethyl) imidazole hydrochloride; m.p. 2l0.52l6 C.

EXAMPLE III To a stirred and refluxing solution of 12.1 parts of 1-acetyl-imidazole in 40 parts of acetonitrile is added dropwise a solution of 23.3 parts of 4 chloro phenacylbromide in 40 parts of acetonitrile over the course of minutes. After addition is complete, the reaction mixture is stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in water. To this solution is added a solution of sodium carbonate in water until pH 9, whereupon the solid free base, 1-(4- chloro benzoyl methyl) imidazole, is precipitated, It is filtered off and dissolved in acetone. To this solution is added 2-propanol previously saturated with gaseous hydrogen chloride. The salt is precipitated and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and acetone, yielding 1 (4 chloro benzoyl methyl) imidazole hydrochloride; m.p. 228-229 C.

EXAMPLE IV To a solution of 20.4 parts of imidazole in parts of methanol are added 23.3 parts of o-chlorophenacylbromide and the whole is stirred for 2 hours at 0 C. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and the residue is poured onto water. The product, 2' chloro 2 1 imidazolyl) acetophenone, is extracted with chloroform. The extract is washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated. From the residual free base, the hydrochloride salt is prepared in the usual manner, yielding, after two recrystallizations: first from a mixture of 2-propanol and diisopropylether and then from a mixture of methanol and diisopropylether, 2' chloro 2 (l imidazolyl)acetophenone hydrochloride; m.p. 186.5l89 C.

EXAMPLE V To a solution of 276 parts of p-fiuoro-acetophenone in 400 parts of dioxane and 640 parts of dry ether are added dropwise 320 parts of bromine, while cooling on ice and stirring. The mixture is then brought to room temperature and the solvent is removed in vacuo, till an internal temperature of 110 C. is obtained. The residue is cooled on an ice-salt bath and there are added 640 parts of acetone. At a temperature of 0 C., there is added a solution of 528 parts of imidazole in 640 parts of methanol, while stirring. The whole is further stirred for 3 hours while cooling. The solvent is removed at atmospheric pressure till 125 C. internal temperature. To the residue are added, after cooling 750 parts of chloroform and 500 parts of water. The chloroform layer is separated, stirred for 30 minutes, washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated. From the residue containing 1 (p fluorophenacyl)-imidazole, the hydrochloride salt is prepared in the usual manner. The crude salt is recrystallized twice from a mixture of 2-propanol, methanol and diisopropylether. The free base is again liberated by treatment with an equivalent amount of sodium hydroxide and after recrystallization from a mixture of 2-propanol and diisopropylether, about 178 parts of 1 (p fiuorophenacyl) imidazole are obtained; m.p. l49155 C.

EXAMPLE VI To a solution of 268 parts of o-methylacetophenone in 400 parts of dioxane and 640 parts of dry ether are added dropwise 320 parts of bromine, while cooling on ice and stirring. The solvent is removed at atmospheric pressure, while stirring, until an internal temperature of l25140 14 C. is reached. The whole is further stirred and cooled in an ice-salt bath and there are added successively 240 parts of methanol, followed by a solution of 544 parts of imidazole in 640 parts of methanol. After stirring for 3 hours at 0 C., the solvent is removed at atmospheric pressure until an internal temperature of C. The whole is cooled again on ice and there is added successively 1200 parts of methylenechloride and 2000 parts of water, The organic layer is separated, washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue, containing 2 (1 imidazolyl) 2' methylacetophenone, is taken up in chloroform and treated with an excess of concentrated nitric acid yielding, after recrystallization of the crude salt from methanol, 2 (l imidazolyl)-2'-methylacetophenone nitrate; m.p. 165.5-l67 C. The free base is obtained by treating the nitrate salt with an equivalent quantity of sodium hydroxide.

EXAMPLE VII To a solution of 252 parts of bromine in 400 parts of dry ether and 640 parts of dioxane is added dropwise 320 parts of methyl 2 thienylketone, while cooling on ice and stirring. The solvent is removed at atmospheric pressure until an internal temperature of 125 C. is reached. The residue is cooled on an ice-salt bath and 400 parts of acetonitrile are added while stirring. At an internal temperature of 0 C., there is added a hot solution of 544 parts of imidazole in 400 parts of acetonitrile: the temperature rises to 60 C. and over 30 minutes the temperature is brought to 0-5 C. The whole is further stirred first for 1 /2 hrs. while cooling and then at reflux temperature for one hour. The solvent is removed at atmospheric pressure until internal temperature of 125 C. The residue is cooled on ice and there are added successively 800 parts of methylene dichloride and 1500 parts of water. The methylene dichloride solution is washed three times with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. From the residual oily free base, the nitrate salt is prepared in the usual manner, The solid salt is filtered off and recrystallized twice: first from acetonitrile (charcoal) and then from a mixture of ethanol and diisopropylether, yielding (l imidazolylmethyl) 2 thienylketone nitrate; m.p. 136 C.

EXAMPLE VIII A solution of 50 parts of 2',4'-dichloroacetophenone in 400 parts of refluxing methanol is brominated with 41.5 parts of bromine, while stirring. After the addition is complete, the mixture is cooled in an ice-bath and there are added 90 parts of imidazole with stirring. Stirring is then continued for another 3 hours. The solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is poured onto water and the product, 2,4 dichloro-2-(l-imidazolyl)acetophenone, is extracted with methylene chloride. The extract is washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. From the residual oily free base, the nitrate salt is prepared in the usual manner. The precipitated solid salt is filtered off and recrystallized from water, yielding 2,4'-dichloro-2- (l-imidazolyl)acetophenone nitrate; mp. 164.5 C.

EXAMPLE IX To a stirred mixture of parts of 2'-methoxyacetophenone in 320 parts of ether and parts of dioxane are added dropwise 160 parts of bromine. After the addition is complete, stirring is continued for 2 hours. The mixture is cooled on ice and there is added 350 parts of imidazole in 400 parts of methanol and the whole is stirred overnight. The solvents are evaporated till an internal temperature of 90 C. is reached. Then 1000 parts of water are added to the residue and the product, 2-(limidazolyl)-2-methoxyacetophenone, is extracted with chloroform. The extract is washed with water and there is added an excess of 2-propanol previously saturated with gaseous hydrogen chloride. The precipitated salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of ethanol 95%, acetone and diisopropylether, yielding 2-(1-imidazolyl) 2 methoxyacetophenone hydrochloride; m.p. 208 C.

EXAMPLE X To a stirred mixture of 328 parts of Z-methylpropiophenone in 640 parts of ether and 320 parts of dioxane are added dropwise 320 parts of bromine over a period of 2 hours. The mixture is cooled on ice and there is added successively 700 parts of imidazole in 400 parts of methanol and 640 parts of acetonitrile. The whole is stirred for 2 hours. The solvents are evaporated off until an internal temperature of 80 C. is reached. Stirring and refluxing is continued for one hour and the solvents are further evaporated off till a temperature of 100 C. is reached. The residue is cooled and there is added 3000 parts of water and 400 parts of diisopropylether. On triturating, the product is precipitated. The free base, 2-(1- imidazolyl)-2-methylpropiophenone is converted into its nitrate salt in the conventional manner. The crude salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of ethanol 95%, acetone and diisopropylether, yielding 2-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylpropiophenone nitrate; m.p. 167.5 C.

EXAMPLE XI To a stirred mixture of 199 parts of 4-bromoacetophenone in 320 parts of ether and 160 parts of dioxane are added dropwise 160 parts of bromine. After the addition is complete, the whole is stirred for one hour. The mixture is cooled on ice and there are added 350 parts of bromine in 400 parts of methanol. After stirring overnight, the solvents are evaporated off till an internal temperature of 90 C. is reached. Then 1000 parts of water are added and the crude solid product is filtered off. The latter is taken up in 1000 parts of hot chloroform and on the addition of water, some by-product is precipitated and filtered off. The chloroform phase is separated, washed with water and an excess of concentrated nitric acid solution is added. The resulting 4-bromo-2-(1-imidazolyl)- acetophenone nitrate is triturated in 320 parts of dimethylformamide, basified with ammonium hydroxide solution and, on the addition of water, the free base, 4'-bromo- 2-( l-imidazolyl)acetophenone, is precipitated. It is filtered off and recrystallized from toluene, m.p. 164 C.

EXAMPLE XII To a cooled (5 -15 C.) slurry of 120 parts of imid azole in 125 parts of dimethylformamide is added portionwise 82 parts of 2-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)acetylbromide in 125 parts of dimethylformamide. After the addition is complete, the whole is stirred on ice for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is poured onto water, whereupon the product, (5 chloro 2 thienyl) (1 imidazolylmethyl)- ketone, is precipitated. It is filtered off and taken up in 750 parts of chloroform, washed with water and the chloroform evaporated. The residue is triturated in ether and filtered off again, yielding the free base, m.p. 104- 106C. From this fraction, 4.4 parts are converted into the nitrate salt, yielding, after recrystallization of the crude solid salt from ethanol, 3.7 parts of (5-chloro-2-thienyl)- (l-imidazolylmethyl)ketone nitrate; m.p. 161.5 C.

EXAMPLE XIII To a suspension of 40 parts of 1-(p-chlorobenzoylmethyl)imidazole in 120 parts of methanol are added portionwise 4 parts of sodium borohydride while cooling on ice and while stirring. After 30 minutes, the reaction mixture is stirred and refluxed for one hour and 100 parts of water are added. The methanol is removed at atmospheric pressure. Then there are added 16 parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid solution and the whole is stirred and refluxed for 5 minutes. After cooling on icebath, an excess of ammonium hydroxide solution is added, whereupon the alcohol product is precipitated. It is filtered off, washed with water and recrystallized from a mixture of dimethylformamide and water, yielding a- (p-chlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol; m.p. 180 C.

EXAMPLE XIV The procedure of Example XIII is repeated except that an equivalent amount of an appropriate starting ketone is substituted therein to yield, as respective products, the following alcohols of formula (V), some of which have been converted to the indicated acid addition salt by treatment in the conventional manner with the appropriate acid:

a-(a-chlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol nitrate, m.p.

a-(p-fluorophenyl)imidazole-l-e'thanol, m.p. 146.5 C.;

u-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol, m.p. 136.5

a- (o tolyl)imidazole-l-ethanol nitrate, m.p. 131 C.; and a-(p-tolyl)imidazole-l-ethanol, m.p. 155 C.

EXAMPLE XV To a stirred and cooled -(5 C.) mixture of 14 parts of 2-(l-imidazolyl)-2-methylpropiophenone in parts of methanol are added portionwise 1.3 parts of sodium borohydride. The whole is first stirred for one hour at 5 C. and further for one hour at reflux temperature. Then 60 parts of the solvent are evaporated off. To the residue are added 300 parts of water and then dilute hydrochloric acid solution till pH 2. The whole is briefly refluxed for about 5 minutes, and, after being made basic with sodium hydroxide solution and cooled, the alcohol product is precipitated. It is filtered off and recrystallized twice: first from a mixture of toluene and petroleum ether and then from acetone, yielding 13,;8-dimethyl-aphenylimidazole-l-ethanol; m.p. 139 C.

EXAMPLE XVI By repeating the procedure of Example XV, except that an equivalent quantity of an appropriate starting ketone is substituted therein ,the following alcohols of formula (V) are obtained, either in base form or as the indicated acid addition salt by treatment in the conventional manner with an appropriate acid:

u- (phenyl) imid azole-l-ethanol;

a-(p-bromophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol, m.p. 188.5 C.;

w(a-methoxyphenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol hydrochloride,

m.p. 171.5 C.;

a- 2-thienyl imid azolel-ethanol; and

a-(S-chloro-Z-thienyl) imidazole-l-ethanol, m.p. 131.5 C.

EXAMPLE XVII To a sodium methoxide solution, prepared from 9.2 parts of sodium in 140 parts of methanol, are added successively 27.2 parts of imidazole and parts of dimethylformamide. The solvent is removed at atmospheric pressure while stirring. At an internal temperature of C. (all of the methanol has been removed), there are added 47 parts of a-chloromethyl a methylbenzyl alcohol. The whole is stirred at 130 C. for one hour. After the addition of 500 parts of water, the alcohol product is crystallized. It is filtered off and recrystallized from toluene, yielding a-methyl a phenylimidazole-lethanol; m.p. 119.5 C.

EXAMPLE XVIII To a sodium methoxide solution, prepared from 20.7 parts of sodium in 200 parts of methanol, are added successively 61.2 parts of imidazole and 200 parts of dimethylformamide. The solvent is removed at atmospheric pressure, while stirring. At an internal temperature of 130 C. (all of the methanol has been removed), there are added 133 par-ts of a-chloromethyl a methyl (pchlorobenzyl) alcohol. The whole is stirred for 5 minutes longer at a temperature of 135 140 C. After the addition of 500 parts of Water, the product is crystallized. The

17 whole is cooled on ice and the product is filtered off. It is dissolved in chloroform. The solution is washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in Vacuo. The residue is crystallized from a mixture of 4-rnethyl-2-pentanone and recrystallized once more from toluene, yielding a-(pchlorophenyl)-a-methylimidazole-l-ethanol; m.p. 140 C.

EXAMPLE XIX A solution of 18.6 par-ts of 1-(benzoylmethyl)-imidazole and 14.5 parts of fl-phenethylamine in 160 parts of dry benzene containing a little amount of p-toluenesulphonic acid is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a water trap. After 24 hours the theoretical amount of Water is evolved. The solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in 120 parts of ethanol and this solution is hydrogenated at an initial pressure of 4.5 kg./cm. at room temperature in the presence of 3 parts of palladium-on-charcoal catalyst 5%. After the calculated amount of hydrogen is taken up, hydrogenation is stopped. The solution is filtered and the solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in acetone and to this solution is added an excess of nitric acid solution (conc.) in diisopropylether: the nitrate salt separates out as an oil. The solvent is decanted and to the residue is added a new volume of acetone together with a little amount of diisopropylether whereupon the solid salt crystallizes out. It is filtered off, washed with acetone and recrystallized from a mixture of methanol, acetone and diisopropylether yielding l-(B phenethylamino phenethyl)-imidazole dinitrate; m.p. 164.5168 C EXAMPLE XX A solution of 18.1 parts of l-(benzoyl-me-thyl)-imidazole and 11.2 parts of aniline in 80 parts of benzene containing a little amount of p-toluenesulphonic acid is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a watertrap until the theoretical amount of water is evolved. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and the residue is dissolved in 120 parts of ethanol. This solution is hydrogenated at an initial pressure of 4.2 kg/cm? at room temperature in the presence of 3 parts of palladium-on-charcoal catalyst 5%. After 8 hours, the theoretical amount of hydrogen is taken up. The solution is filtered over Hyflo and the solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in acetone and to this solution is added an excess of 2-propanol previously saturated with gaseous hydrogen chloride and diisopropylether is added. On cooling on ice, the hydrochloride product is precipitated. It is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of methanol, Z-propanol (previously saturated with gaseous hydrogen chloride), water and acetone, yielding l-(,8-anilinophenethyl)- imidazole dihydrochloride; m.p. 217.5-230" C. (dec.).

EXAMPLE XXI A solution of 18.6 parts of l-(benzoyl-methyl)imidazole and 17.7 parts of l-tetralinylamine in 160 parts of benzene containing a little amount of p-toluenesulphonic acid is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a water-trap. After 24 hours, the theoretical amount of water is evolved. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in 120 parts of ethanol. This solution is hydrogenated at an initial pressure of 4.3 kg./ cm. at room temperature in the presence of 3 parts of palladium-on-charcoal catalyst 5%. After 8 hours, the theoretical amount of hydrogen is taken up. The solution is filtered over Hyflo and the filtrate is evaporated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in 80 parts of acetone. To this soltuion is added an excess of concentrated nitric acid solution in 2-propanol: the nitrate salt, which separates as an oil, solidifies on standing in ice. The solid product is filtered off and triturated in acetone (on ice). After 30 minutes, the product is filtered ofl? again and recrystallized from a mixture of ethanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1-[,3-(l-tetralinylamino)-phenethyl]-imidazole dinitrate; m.p. 139-143" C.

18 EXAMPLE xxn A solution of 18.6 parts of (1-benzoyl-methyl)-imidazole and 12.9 parts of benzylamine in parts of benzene containing a little amount (about 0.5 part) of p-toluenesulphonic acid is stirred and refluxed for 4 hours. (The reaction vessel is provided with a refluxcondenser and water-separator.) The solvent is removed in vacuo and the residue is dissolved in 120 parts of ethanol. At room temperature a first portion of 3.8 parts of sodium borohydride is added and the whole is stirred and refluxed for 30 minutes. Then a second portion of 3.8 parts of sodium borohydride is added and again stirred and refluxed for one hour. The solvent is removed in vacuo. To the residue is added successively parts of Water and 70 parts of a concentrated hydrochloric acid solution (pH: .23). This solution is stirred and refluxed for one hour. After cooling on ice, it is filtered and the filtrate is alkalized (strongly) with 10N sodium hydroxide solution and the free base is extracted with methylene chloride. The extract is washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residual free base is dissolved in acetone and to this solution is added an excess of Z-propanol previously saturated with gas A solution of 21.2. parts of p-chIorO benZyIamine in. 100 parts of toluene with 0.5 part of p-toluenesulfonic acid is prepared. To four-fifths of this solution are added 18.6 parts of 1-(benzoyl-methyl)-imidazole. The mixture is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a Water-trap. After 2 hours the theoretical amount of water is evolved and the remaining one-fifth portion of the solution of p-chloro-benzylamine in toluene is added. The reaction mixture is further stirred at refluxed temperature for one hour. The solvent is evaporated. The residue is stirred three times in petroleum ether (total lolume 80 parts) to remove the excess of p-chlorobenzylamine.The residue is then dissolved in parts of ethanol and to the solution are added, portionwise, at 60 C., 4 parts of sodium borohydride. After the addition is complete, the whole is stirred at reflux temperature for 30 minutes. Then a second portion of 2 parts of sodium borohydride is added and the whole is stirred and refluxed for one hour. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and to the residue are added 100 parts of water. This aqueous solution is acidified with concentrated bydrochloric acid solution to a pH 2-3 and the whole is stirred at reflux for 15 minutes. The mixture is cooled over ice', whereupon a. solid is precipitated Which is filtered off and to the filtrate is added an excess of sodium hydroxide solution 5N. The product, l-[l-(p-chlorobenzylamino)-phenethyl]-imidazole, is extracted with benzene. The extract is washed with Water, dried and evaporated in vacuo. From this residue, the hydrochloride salt is prepared in the usual manner, yielding, after recrystallization from a mixture of methanol and diisopropylether, 1- 13- p-chlorobenzylamino -phenethyl] -imidazole dihydrochloride; m.p. 264.5266.5 C.

EXIAMPLE XXIV A mixture of 18.6 parts of l-(benzoyl-methyD-imidazole and 15 parts of p-phenethylamine in 100 parts of toluene containing'a little amount (about 0.5 part) of p-toluenesulfonic acid is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a water-trap. After 3 hours, no more water is evolved. The solvent is evaporated and the residue is dissolved in 120 parts of ethanol. To this solution are added portionwise 4 parts of sodium borohydride. The whole is stirred first for 30 minutes at room temperature and then for 30 minutes at reflux temperature. Then another 2 parts of sodium borohydride are added and the mixture is stirred for 30 minutes longer at reflux temperature. The solvent is evaporated and to the residue are added 150 parts of water. The mixture is stirred and acidified with hydrochloric acid solution. The whole is heated to reflux point, cooled on ice and filtered from some insoluble material. The aqueous filtrate is made strongly alkaline with N sodium hydroxide solution and the amine product is extracted three times with dry benzene. The combined extracts are dried and evaporated. From the residual oily free base, the hydrochloride salt is prepared in the usual manner. The crude salt is filtered 011 and recrystallized twice: first from a mixture of ethanol, acetone and diisopropylether and then from a mixture of ethanol and acetone, yielding 1-(19 phenethylaminophenethyl)-imidazole dihydrochloride; m.p. l67-171 C.

EXAMPLE XXV The procedure of Example XXIV is repeated except that an equivalent quantity of m-chloro-benzylamine is used in place of the starting amine used therein to yield, as the respective product, 1[fi-(m-chlorobenzylaminmphenethyl1-imidazole dihydrochloride; mp. 251-255 C.

EXAMPLE XXVI A solution of 18.6 parts of 1-(benzoyl-methyl)-imidazole, 17.8 parts of o-chlorobenzylamine, 0.5 part of ptoluenesulfonic acid in 120 parts of toluene is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a watertrap. After 3 hours, the theoretical amount of water is evolved. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and the residue is dissolved in 120 parts of methanol. To this solution are added portionwise 4 parts of sodium borohydride (exothermic reaction: reflux temperature is reached). After the addition is complete, stirring and refluxing is continued for 1 /2 hours. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo and to the residue are added 100 parts of water. This aqueous solution is cooled on ice for one hour, filtered and the filtrate is made strongly alkaline with sodium hydroxide solution. The resulting solid product l-[B-(o-chlorobenzylamino) phenethyll-imidazole, is extracted with benzene. The extract is washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is washed with petroleum ether and after cooling on ice, the solvent is decanted. From the free base, the hydrochloride salt is prepared in the usual manner. The crude salt is filtered oil and recrystallized twice: first from a mixture of ethanol and acetone and then from a mixture of acetone and water, yielding l-[fi-(o-chlorobenzylamino)phenethyl]imidazole dihydrochloride; m.p. 239.5-251.5 C.

EXAMPLE XXVII A solution of 20 parts of 1-(4-methyl-benzoyl-methyl) imidazole, 19 parts of p-chlorobenzylamine, 0.5 parts of p-toluenesulfonic acid in 120 parts of toluene is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a watertrap. After 3 hours the theoretical amount of water is evolved. The solvent is removed in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in 120 parts of methanol. This solution is cooled on ice for 30 minutes and while stirring there are added portionwise 4 parts of sodium borohydride. The whole is further stirred while cooling for another 30 minutes. The coolingbath is removed and the solution is stirred at refiux temperature for 30 minutes. The solvent is removed in vacuo. To the residue are added successively parts of water and 50 parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid solution, while stirring. The whole is stirred and refluxed for 5 minutes and further cooled on ice for one hour. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is made strongly alkaline with 15N sodium hydroxide solution. The product, l-[B- (p-chlorobenzylamino)-p-methylphenethyl]imidazole, is extracted with benzene. The extract is washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is washed with petroleum ether and cooled on ice. The solvent is decanted and from the residue the hydrochloride salt is prepared in the usual manner, yielding after recrystallization from a mixture of ethanoland diisopropylether, 1. [/3-(p-chlorobenzylamino)-p-methylphenethyl]imidazole dihydrochloride; mp 264-265 C.

EXAMPLE XXVIII The reductive amination procedure of Example XXVII is repeated except that an equivalent quantity of an appropriate ketone of formula (II) and an equivalent quantity of an appropriate amine of formula (III) are substituted therein as starting materials to yield, as respective products, the following imidazole amines of formula (I-a) in acid addition salt form by conventional treatment with the particular acid indicated below:

R B A! 11. Ar Salt C H H p-Cl-Ph 1 p-MeO-Ph 2 HCl 232-25 0 H H p-Me-Ph 1 p-MeO-Ph 2 HCl 246-248 H H p-Me-Ph 2 Ph 2 HNOa 148-154 H H p-Cl-Ph 1 Ph 2 HCl 213-215 H H p-Cl-Ph 0 Ph 2 H01 1 201-221 H H p-Cl-Ph 1 o-Cl-Ph 2 HCl 224-227 H H p-Cl-Ph 1 o-Cl-Ph 2 HNOa 194-197. 5 H H p-Cl-Ph 2 Ph 2 HNO: 145. 5-148 H H Ph 1 p-Me-Ph 2 HCl 260-261 H H Ph 1 p-MeO-Ph 2 H01 258-259 H H p-Cl-Ph 1 p-Me-Ph 2 HCl 279-288 H H p-Cl-Ph 0 l-tetralinyl 2 1101-3 H2O 193-196 H H p-F-Ph 1 Ph 2 HNO; 210-212 H H p-F-Ph l. O-Cl-Ph 2 HNO: 205. 5-207. 5 H H P-F-Ph 1 p-MeO-Ph 2 HNOs 164. 5-183 H H p-FPh 2 Ph 2 HNO: 152-153 5 H H p-F-Ph 1 p-Me-Ph 2 HNO; 208-209 H H p-F-Ph 0 l-tetralinyl 2 HNO:

H H p-F-Pll 1 p-Cl-Ph 2 HNO:

H H Z-thienyl 1 p-Cl-Ph 2 H01 H H 5-Cl-2-thienyl 1 p-Me-Ph 2 HNO:

H H 5-C1-2-thieny1 2 Ph HCl H H 2-thienyl 0 Ph 2 HNO;

H H o,p-di-Cl-Ph 1 p-Me-Ph 2 HNO;

H H O-MeO-Ph 1 p-MeO-Ph 2 H01 H H p-Br-Ph 0 Ph 2 H01 Me Me Ph 1 p-Cl-Ph 2 END:

See footnotes at end of table.

TABvLEContinued R2 Ar n Ar Salt Me Ph 1 Ph 2HCl Me Ph l-tetralinyl 2HNO3 Me Yb 2 Ph H01 Me Ph 1 p-Me-Ph 2HN03 Me Ph 1 p-MeO-Ph 2 HNOs 1 Decomposes. *Compound name:

1. 1-[p-ehloro-B-(p-methoxybenzylamino)plienethyllimidazole dlhydrochloride.

. 1-[pmethy1-fi-(phenethylamino)phenethylhmidazole dinitrate.

. 1-( S-anilino-p-chlorophenethylfimidazole dihydrochloride.

%. 1-([i-benzylamino-p-ehlorophenethyl)imidazo1e dihydrochloride.

. 1-[p-chloro-fl-(o-chlorobenzy]amino)phenethyl]imidazole duutrate.

6 7 g. 1-[p-ehloro-B-(phenethylamino)phenethyflimidazole dinitrate. 1

. l-Ifl-(p-methylbenzylamino)phenethyflimidazole dihydroehloride.

. I-[B-(p-anisylamino)phenethylhmldazole dihydrochlorld 1-[B-(benzylamino)-p-flu0rophenethyllimidazole dinitrate- EXAMPLE XXIX A solution of 140 parts of imidazole, 240 parts of 2 phenylethylene oxide, 400 parts of denatured absolute ethanol and 8 parts of pyridine is heated to reflux (an exothermic reaction occurs, requiring ice-bath moderation). Upon completion of the exotherm (about -30 minutes), the mixture is allowed to cool to 50 C. Then there are added 240 parts of diisopropylether and the whole is poured onto 1000 parts of water. The crude product is filtered off after cooling, triturated in ice-cold acetone, filtered oif again, washed with ice-cold acetone and then with ether, to yield 1-(pi-hydroxyphenethyl)imidazole; m.p. l49-150 C.

80 Parts of l-(fi-hydroxyphenethyl)imidazole are dissolved in 250 parts of dry hexamethylphosphortriamide at about 40 C., while anti-foam is added. This solution is added, over a one hour period to 22 parts of, a sodium hydride dispersion in 100 parts of dry hexamethylphosphortriamide, while cooling at 515 C. Upon completion, the whole is allowed to come to room temperature (about 30 minutes). After stirring for one hour at 45,-50 C., the mixture is cooled to 5 C. and there is added portionwise 80 parts of p-chlorobenzyl chloride, while keeping the temperature below 25 C. The whole is stirred for minutes at room temperature, further heated to 45." C. and then allowed to come to room temperature (about one hour). After the addition of 1500 parts of water, the ether product, 1-[fl-(p-chlorobenzyloxy)phenethynimidazole, is extracted three times with ether. The combined extracts are washed with water and there is added an excess of nitric acid. After cooling, the precipitated nitrate salt is filtered off, triturated twice in 50% acetone/ether and dried in vacuo, yielding 1-[fl-(p-chlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl1imidazole nitrate; m.p. 132134 C.

EXAMPLE XXX A suspension of 5 parts of a-(g-chlorophenyl)-imidazole-l-ethanol and 1.1 parts of sodium hydride in 27 parts of dry tetrahydrofuran is stirred and refluxed for 2. hours, after which the evolution of hydrogen, isceased. Then there are added 30 parts of dimethylformamide and 4.8 parts of p-chlorobenzylchloride and the whole is stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. The tetrahydrofuran is evaporated at atmospheric pressure and the dimethylforruarnide v 1-[fl-(o-chlorobeuzylamino)-p-fiuorophenethylhmidazole dinitrate. 1-[p-fluoro-fl-(p-methoxybenzylamino)phenethylhmidazole dinitrate.

. 1-[ p-fluoro-fl-(p-methylbenzylamino)phenethyllimidazole dinitrate.

. 1-[B-(p-chlorobenzylamino)-p-fiu0rophenethyllimidazole dinitrate.

-[2-(p-chlorobenzylamino)-2-(2-thienyl)ethyHimidazole dihydroehloride. -[2-(p-methylbenzylamino)-2-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)ethyl1imidazole dinitrate.

-phenethylamino)-2-(5-chloro-2-thieny1)ethyl1imidazole dihydrochloride.

. 1-[B-(p-methoxybenzylamino)qrmethylphenethyl]imidazole dihydrochloride.

. l-lp-chloro'fl-(o-chlorobenzylamino)phenethyllimidazole dihydrochloride.

e. 1-[p-ch1oro-B-(1r-methylbenzy1amino)phenethyflimidazole dihydrochloride. 1-[p-ehloro-fl-(1tetralinylamino)phenethylhmidazole dihydrochloride trihydrate. v

e. 0,p-diehloro-fl-(p-methylbenzylamino)phenethylhmidazole dinitrate. o-methoxy-fl-(p-methoxybenzylamino)phenethyflimldazole dihydroehloride.

(I 1-[fi-(w-ehlorobenzylamino)-a,a-dimethylphenethylfimidazole dlnltrate. 1 [B-(benzylamino)-a,a-dimethylphenethyflimidazo]e dihydroehloride. 29. 1-[f3-(1-tetralinylamino)-a,a-dimethylphenethyHimidazole dmitrate.

1-[B-(phenethylamino)-a a-dimethylphenethyl]imldazole dihydrochloride. 1-[B-(p-methylbenzylalnino)-a,a-dimethylphenethyl]lmldazole dinltrate. 32. l-LB-(p-methoxybenzylamino)-a,a-dimethylphenethyl]lmidazole dlmtrate:

solution is poured onto water. The product is extracted with benzene. The extract is washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is washed with petroleum ether. The latter is decanted and from the residual oily free base, 1-[p-chloro-B-(p-chlorobenzyloxy) phehethylJimidazole, the nitrate salt is prepared in the usual manner from nitric acid in 2-propanol. The crude solid salt isfiltered oil and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1- [p-chloro- 135-5 (p-chlorobenzyloxy phenethyl] imidazole nitrate; m.p.

EXAMPLE XXXI A suspension of 8.3 parts of a-(p-fluorophenyD-imidazole-l-ethanol and 2.1 parts of sodium hydride in 27 parts of dry tetrahydrofuran is stirred and refluxed for 2 hours, after which the evolution of hydrogen is ceased. Then there are added 20 parts of dimethylformamide and the whole is stirred and refluxed for 30 minutes. After the addition of 8 parts of p-chlorobenzylchloride, stirring and refluxing is continued for another 2 hours. The tetrahydrofuran is evaporated at atmospheric pressure and the dimethylformamide solution is poured onto water. The product is extracted with benzene. The extract is washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue solidifies on triturating in petroleum ether. The solid product, 1- [5- (p-chlorobenzyloxy) -p-fluorophenethyl] imidazole, is recrystallized from diisopropylether, filtered off and the crude free base is converted into its nitrate salt in the usual manner in acetone and diisopropylether. The solid salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of 2- propanol, diisopropylether and acetone, yielding l-[B-(pchlorobenzyloxy) p fluorophenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 123 C.

1 EXAMPLE XXXII A suspension of 10.3 parts of a-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)- imidazole-l-ethanol and 2.1 parts of sodium hydride in 50 parts .of dry tetrahydrofuran is stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. After this reaction-time, the evolution of hydrogen is ceased. Then there are added successively 60 parts dim'ethylformamide and 8 parts of p-chlorobenzylchloride and stirring and refluxing is continued for another 2 hours. The tetrahydrofuran is removed at atmospheric pressure. The dimethylforrnamide solution is poured onto water.

The product, 1-[2,4-dichloro-;3-(p-chlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole, is extracted with benzene. The extract is Washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. From the residual oily free base, the nitrate salt is prepared in the usual manner in 2-propanol by treatment with concentrated nitric acid, yielding, after recrystallization of the crude solid salt from a mixture of 2-propanol, methanol and diisopropylether, 1 [2,4 dichloro B-(pchlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 162 C.

EXAMPLE XXXIII The O-alkylation procedure of Example XXXII is repeated except that an equivalent quantity of an appropriate alcohol of formula (V) and an equivalent quantity of an appropriate halide of formula (VI) are substituted therein as starting materials to yield, as respective products, the following imidazole ethers of formula (I-b) as the nitrate salt:

M.P. Ether R Ar 11 Ar C.)

H wCl-Ph 1 p-Cl-Ph 127 H 2,4-diCl-Ph 1 2,4-diCl-Ph 170.5 H 10- -Ph 1 2,4-diCl-Ph 120 H p-Me-Ph 1 2,4-diCl-Ph 130.5 H o-Me-Ph 1 2,4-diCl-Ph 139.5 H o-Me-Ph 1 p-Cl-Ph 129.5 H p-Me-Ph 1 p-Cl-Ph 121.5 H o-Cl-Ph 1 2,4-diCl-Ph 128.5 H p-C1-Ph 1 2,4-diCl-Ph 110.6 H o-MeO-Ph 1 2,4-diCl-Ph 132 Me Ph 1 p-Cl-Ph 167.5 Me Ph 1 2,4-diCl-Ph 179.5 Me p-Cl-Ph 1 p-Cl-Ph 167 Mo p-Cl-Ph 1 2,4-diCl-Ph 162.5 H 2,4-diCl-Ph 1 o-Me-Ph H p-Cl-Ph 2 Ph H o-Me-Ph 2 p-Cl-Ph H o-MeO-Ph 2 p-Me-Ph Ph 2 Ph p-Cl-Ph 2 p-MeO-Ph p-F-P 2 2,4-diCl-Ph 2-thienyl 1 p-Me-Ph 2-thienyl 2 Ph 5-Cl-2-thienyl 1 o-F-Ph 5-Cl-2-thieny1 2 p-MeO-Ph o-Me-Ph 0 p-NOz-Ph Compound name:

1. l-lo-ehloro-B-(pehlorobenzyloxy)phenethyflimidazole nitrate. 2. l-[2A-dichloro-fl-(2,4'dich10r0benzyl0xy)phenethyflimidazole nitrate.

i3. 1-[5-(2,4-diehlorobenzyloxy)-pfluor0phenethyl]imidazole e. 4. 1-[6-(2,4-dlchlorobenzyl)-p-methylphenethylhmidazole nitrate. 5. 1-[B-(2,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)-o-methyiphenethyilimidazole nitrate.

6. 1-[ 3-(p-chlorobenzyloxy)-o-methy1phenethyl]imidazole nitrate. 7. I-[fi-(p-ehiorobenzyioxy)-p-methy1phenethyl]imidazole nitrate. 8. 1-[0-chloro-}8-(2,4-dichlor0benzyloxy)phenethyHimidazole nitrate.

9. l-[pehloro-B-(2,4-diehlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl1lmidazole 'trate nitrate.

25. 1-[2-(5-chloro-2-thieny1)-2-(pqnethoxyphenethyloxy)ethyl] imidazole nitrate. e 26. 1'[o-methyl-fi-(p-nltrophenoxy)phenethyilhnidazolenitrat.

24 EXAMPLE xxxrv A mixture of 8.8 parts of u-(p-chlorophenyl)imidazolel-ethanol and 2.1 parts of sodium hydride in 50 parts of dry tetrahydrofuran is stirred and refluxed for 18 hours. Then there are added 25 parts of dimethylformamide and stirring and refluxing is continued for 30 minutes. Then 8 parts of o-chlorobenzylchloride is added and the mixture is stirred at reflux for 4 hours. After the addition of 300 parts of Water, the product is extracted with benzene (three times). The combined extracts are washed twice with water, dried and evaporated in vacuo. .From the residual free base, 1 [p chloro-,8-(o-chlorobenzyloxy) phenethylJimidazole, the nitrate salt is prepared in the usual manner. The precipitated solid salt is filtered 01f, triturated with ether and 2-propanol and further recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and ether, yielding 1- [p chloro ,B (o chlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. C.

EXAMPLE XXXV By repeating the O alkylation procedure of Example XXXIV, except that an equivalent quantity of an appropriate alcohol of formula (V) and an equivalent quantity of an appropriate halide of formula (VI) are substituted therein as starting materials, there are obtained, as respective products, the following ethers of formula (Ib) in the form of a nitrate salt:

1- li- (o-chlorobenzyloxy -p-fi uorophenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 95.5" C.;

1- [p-bromo-fl- (p-chlorobenzyloxy phenethyl] imid azole nitrate, m.p. 159 C.;

1-[fl-(o-chlorobenzyloxy)-p-methylphenethyl]imidazole nitrate, m.p. 124.5 C.;

1-[B-(o-chlorobenzyloxy)-0-methylphenethyl]imidazole nitrate, m.p. 162.5 C.;

l-[B-(o-chlorobenzyloxy)-0-methoxyphenethyl]imidazole nitrate, m.p. 156 C.;

1- [o-chloho-fl- (o-chlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 161.5 C.;

1- 2,4-dichloro- 8- o-chlorobenzyloxy phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 151 C.; and

1- [p-bromo-fl- (o-chlorobenzyloxy phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 124.5 C.

EXAMPLE XXXVI A mixture of 9.1 parts of ot-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)-imidazole-l-ethanol and 2.1 parts of sodium hydride in 70 parts of dry tetrahydrofuran is stirred and refluxed for 4 hours. Then there are added successively 25 parts of dimethylformamide and 8 parts of o-chlorobenzylchloride and stirring and refluxing is continued for 8 hours. The reaction mixture is diluted with 300 parts of water and the product is extracted three times with benzene. The combined extracts are washed with water, dried and evaporated in vacuo. From the residual free base, 1-[2-(0- chlorobenzyloxy) 2 (5 chloro 2 thienyl)ethyl] imidazole, the nitrate salt is prepared in the conventional manner in ether. The crude solid salt is filtered oif, triturated in ice-cold acetone, filtered ofl? again and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1 [2 (0 chlorobenzyloxy) 2 (5- chloro-2-thienyl)ethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 125 C.

EXAMPLE XXXVII To a stirred and refluxing solution of 40 parts of benzene and 35 parts of dimethylformamide (both solvents previously dried azeotropically) are added successively 1.6 parts of sodium hydride and 7.7 parts of a-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-imidazole-1-ethanol, (cooling on ice is necessary). After the addition is complete, stirring and refluxing is continued for 30 minutes. Then there are added 7.8 parts of 2,6-dichlorobenzyl chloride and the whole is stirred at reflux for another 3 hours. The reaction mixture is poured onto water and the product 1-[2,4-dichloro- 3- 2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole, is extracted with benzene. The extract is washed twice with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The base residue is dissolved in a mixture of acetone and diisopropylether and to this solution is added an excess of concentrated nitric acid solution. The precipitated nitrate salt is filtered OE and recrystallized from a mixture of methanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1-[2,4-dichloro-j8-(2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 179 C.

EXAMPLE XXXVIII' The process of Example XXXVI-I is repeated except that an equivalent amount of an appropriate alcohol of formula (V) and an equivalent amount of an appropriate halide of formula (VI) are substituted therein as starting materials to yield, as respective products, the following ethers of formula (I-b):

l-(fl-benzyloxyphenethyl)imidazole nitrate, m.p. 93 C.;

1- 2,4-dichloro-p- (m-methoxybenzyloxy) phenethyl) imidazole nitrate, mp. 115 .5 C.;

1- 2,4-dichloro-B- (o-fluorobenzyloxy) phenethyl) irnidazole nitrate, mp. 146.5 C.; and

1- [2,4-dichloro-B- (p-fluorobenzyloxy) phenethyl) imidazole nitrate, m.p. 141 C.

EXAMPLE XXXIX A mixture of 8.8 parts of a-(p-chlorophenyl)imidazolel-ethanol, 2.1 parts of sodium hydride and 45 parts of tertahydrofuran is stirred and refluxed for 18 hours. Then there are added successively 7 parts of o-methylbenzyl chloride and 25 parts of dimethylformamide and stirring and refluxing is continued for another 2 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and the product is extracted with benzene. The extract is washed four times with water, dried and evaporated. From the residual free base, 1- p-chloro-fl- (o-methylbenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole, the nitrate salt is prepared in the conventional manner in ether. The precipitated solid salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of 16 parts of ethanol 95% and 80 parts of diisopropylether, yielding l-[pchloro-fl-(o methylbenzyloxy)phenethyl1imidazole nitrate; m.p. 140.5 C.

EXAMPLE XL A mixture of 8.8 parts of u-(p-chlorophenyl)imidazolel-ethanol and 2.1 parts of sodium hydride in parts of 2,6-dichlorobenzyl chloride is stirred and refluxed for 18 hours. Then there are added 9.5 parts of 2,6-dichlorobenzyl chloride in 2.5 parts of dimethylformamide and stirring and refluxing is continued for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and the product is extracted with 80 parts of benzene. The extract is washed four times with water, dried, filtered and evaporated. From the oily free base, 1-[p chloro-[i-(2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl]imidazole, the nitrate salt is prepared in the conventional manner in ether. The solid salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of 16 parts of 2- propanol and 80 parts of diisopropylether, yielding l-[pchloro B-(2,6 dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl1imidazole nitrate; m.p. 143 C.

EXAMPL'E XLI A mixture of 8.7 parts of u-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol hydrochloride and 3.4 parts of sodium hydride in parts of benzene and 35 parts of dimethylformamide is stirred while cooling on ice (solvents are previously dried azeotropically). First there are added 3 parts of manganese dioxide, followed by the addition of 8 parts of p-nitrofluorobenzene and the whole is stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture is filtered over hyflo and Water is added. The product is extracted with benzene. The extract is dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. From the residual free base, the nitrate salt is prepared in the conventional manner in acetone. The precipitated solid salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of methanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1-[2,4-dichloro-5-(p-nitrophenoxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 167 C.

EXAMPLE XLII To a stirred and refluxing solution of 40 parts of benzene and 35 parts of dimethylformamide (both previously dried azeotropically) are added successively 1.9 parts of sodium hydride and 7.7 parts of or.- (2,4-dichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol (cooling on ice is necessary). After the addition is complete, stirring and refluxing is continued for 30 minutes. Then there are added 7.8 parts of p-methoxybenzyl chloride, and the whole is stirred at reflux for another 3 hours. The reaction mixture is poured onto water and the product is extracted with benzene. The extract is washed twice with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. From the oily free base, the nitrate salt is prepared in the conventional manner in dry ether. The precipitated solid salt is filtered 01f and recrystallized from a mixture of methanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1-[2,4-dichloro-p-(p-methoxy benzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 148 C.

EXAMPLE X-LII I A mixture of 8.8 parts of a-(p-chlorophenyl)imidazolel-ethanol and 2.1 parts of sodium hydride in 45 parts of tetrahydrofuran is stirred and refluxed for 18 hours. Then there is added a solution of 7 parts of p-methylbenzyl chloride in 25 parts of dimethylformamide and stirring and refluxing is continued for 2 hours. The re action mixture is cooled and diluted with parts of benzene. The organic phase is separated, washed with water; dried and evaporated in vacuo. From the free base, the hydrochloride salt is prepared in the conventional manner in ether. The precipitated solid salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1-[p-chloro-fl-(p methylbenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole hydrochloride hydrate; m.p. 134.5 C.

EXAMPLE XLIV A mixture of 7.7 parts of a-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol and 1.7 parts of sodium hydride in 40 parts of benzene and 35 parts of dimethylformamide is stirred while cooling on ice (solvents are previously dried azeotropically). First there are added 3 parts of manganese dioxide, followed by the addition of 10.1 parts of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene and the whole is stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture is filtered over hyflo and water is added. The product, 1-[2,4-dichloro-,8-(2,4 dinitrophenoxy)phenethyl]imidazole, is extracted with benzene. The extract is dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. From the residual free base, the nitrate salt is prepared in the conventional manner in acetone. The precipitated solid salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of methanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1-[2,4-dichloro-fl-(2,4-dinitrophenoxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 167.5 C.

EXAMPLE XLV To a stirred and refluxing mixture of 13.5 parts of iron, 10 parts of ammonium chloride and 150 parts of Water are added portionwise 20 parts of 1 [2,4 dichloro B- (p-nitrophenoxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate and the whole is further stirred and refluxed for 6 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled on an ice-bath and methylene chloride is added. The whole is filtered over hyflo. From the filtrate, the methylene chloride layer is separated, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is recrystallized from diisopropylether, yielding 1 [,9 (paminophenoxy) 2,4 dichlorophenethyl]imidazole; m.p.

EXAMPLE XLVI A mixture of 8.6 parts of 5,5 dimethyl-wphenylimidazole-l-ethanol, 2.2 parts of sodium hydride and 45 parts of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran is stirred and refluxed for 27 18 hours. Then there are added successively 25 parts of dimethylformamide and '8 parts of p-chlorobenzyl chloride and stirring and refluxing is continued for 4 hours. After the addition of 300 parts of water, the product is extracted three times with ether. The combined extracts are dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue is distilled, yielding 1-[,B-(p-ChIOIObfllZYlOXY)wagon-dimethylphenethyl]imidazole; b.p. 190-200 C. at 0.4 mm. pressure.

EXAMPLE XLVII The following esters of formula (I-b), in th form of an acid addition salt, are respectively obtained as products by repeating the procedure of Example XLVI except that an equivalent quantity of an appropriate halide of formula (VI) is substituted therein as a starting material and the oily base-containing residue, rather than being subjected to distillation, is converted to the indicated acid salt in the conventional manner:

Ill

Me P h 11 Ar Salt 1 o-Me-Ph H01 1 p-F-Ph HNO: 1 0,-pdi-Cl-Ph HCl 1 p'MeO-Ph HCl 1 Ph HNO; 1 Ph HCl p-N Oz-Ph HNOa o o,p-di-NO2-Ph HNO; 2 Cl-Ph HCl EXAMPLE XLVIII The nitro to amine reduction procedure of Example XLV is repeated using an equivalent amount of each of the two nitro derivatives obtained in Example XLVII as starting materials, namely, 1-[5-(p-nitrophenoxy)-a,a-dimethylphenethyl]imidazole nitrate and l-[fi-(mp-dinitrophenoxy) ,0; dimethylphenethyl]imidazole nitrate, to yield, as respective products, the corresponding p-aminophenoxy and 0,p-diaminophenoxy derivatives.

EXAM PLE XLIX 140 Parts of p-chlorophenacylbromide are added dropwise to 250 parts of Z-methylimidazole in 500 parts of dimethylformamide at a temperature between and C. After the addition is complete, the whole is stirred first for two hours on ice and further overnight at room temperature. Then 2000 parts of water are added. The precipitated product is filtered off, and recrystallized twice from dimethylformarnide, yielding 4' chloro-2-(2- methyl-l-imidazolyl)acetophenone; m.p. 209.5 C.

EXAMPLE L To 290 parts of 2-ethylimidazole in 500 parts of diethylformamide are added portionwise 140 parts of pchlorophenacylbromide, while cooling on ice (515 C.). After the addition is complete, the whole is further stirred overnight and then 2000 parts of water are added. The precipitated product is filtered otf and taken up in 1600 parts of toluene. Water is removed azeotropically and filtered while hot. After cooling the product is precipitatcd. It is filtered off and recrystallized from dimethylformamide 50%, yielding 4' chloro-Z-(Z-ethyl-l-imidazolyl)acetophen0ne; m.p. 160 C.

EXAMPLE LI By repeating the 'N-alkylation procedures of Examples XLIX and L, except that an equivalent quantity of an 28 appropriate halide of the formula YCR R COAr is substituted therein as the alkylating agent, the following respective ketones of formula (II) are obtained:

2',4'-dichloro-2- (Z-methyll -imid azolyl acetophenone;

2-methoxy-2- 2-methyll -imidazolyl) ace to phenone (5-chloro-2-thienyl 2-methyll-imidazolylmethyl) ketone;

4'-bromo-2- 2-ethyll-imidazolyl) acetophenone;

2- 2-ethyll-imidazolyl -2'-methylacetophcnone;

(Z-ethyll -imidazolylmethyl 2-thienyl ketone; and

2- 2-ethyl- 1 -imidazolyl -2-methylpropiophenone.

EXAMPLE LII To a suspension of 34 parts of 4'-chloro-2-(2-methyll-imidazolyl)acetophenone in 120 parts of methanol are added 1.5 parts of sodium borohydride in three portions, while cooling (525 C.). After the addition is complete, stirring is continued for 2 hours on ice and further for one hour at reflux temperature. Then about parts of methanol are removed by evaporation. To the residue are added 300 parts of water. The aqueous phase is acidified with hydrochloric acid till pH 3, refluxed for 15 minutes and alkalized, yielding crude ot-(li-ChlOlOPhfiIlYl)-2-l'1'16thyl-imidazole-l-ethanol. After recrystallization from 180 parts of 2 propanol, pure a-(p-chlorophenyl)-2-methylimidazole-l-ethanol is obtained; m.p. 165.5 C.

EXAMPLE LIII To a solution of 37 parts of 4'-chloro 2 (Z-ethyl-limidazolyl)acetophenone in parts of methanol are added 1.5 parts of sodium borohydride in three portions, while cooling (5-25 C.). The whole is stirred first for 2 hours on ice and further for one hour at reflux temperature. Then about 80 parts of methanol are removed by evaporation, and 300 parts of water are added to the residue. The aqueous phase is acidified to pH 3, refluxed for 15 minutes and made alkaline, whereupon the product is precipitated. It is filtered off and recrystallized from toluene, yielding a-(p-chlorophenyl) 2 ethyl-imidazole-lethanol; m.p. 151.5 C.

EXAMPLE LIV In accordance with the reduction procedures of Examples LII and LIII, except that an equivalent quantity of each of the ketones obtained in Example LI is substituted therein as the starting material, there are obtained, as respective products, the corresponding alcohols of formula (V).

EXAMPLE LV A. To a stirred and cooled (5 C.) mixture of 2.25 parts of sodium hydride 50% in 10 parts of hexamethylphosphortriamide is added a solution of 9.6 parts of u- (p-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-irnidazole 1 ethanol in 40 parts of hexamethylphosphortriamide. Upon completion, the cooling-bath is removed and the whole is heated to 45 C. After stirring for 30 minutes at that temperature, the mixture is cooled again to 5 C. and there are added 11 parts of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl chloride. After the addition is complete, the Whole is stirred overnight at room temperature and 300 parts of water are added. The product is extracted three times with 120 parts of ether. The combined extracts are washed with water, dried and there is added an excess of nitric acid. The precipitated salt is filtered off and crystallized from a mixture of 40 parts of 2-propanol and 80 parts of diisopropylether, yielding l-[p-chloro-fi (2,4 dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl] 2- methylimidazole nitrate; m.p. 117 C.

B. By substituting an equivalent quantity of 2,6-dichlorobenzyl chloride for the 2,4-dichlorobenzyl chloride used in Example LV-A, there is obtained 1-[p-chloro-,8- (2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl] 2 methylimidazole nitrate; m.p. 162.5 C.

EXAMPLE LVI A. To a stirred and cooled (5 C.) solution of 2.25 parts of sodium hydride 50% in 10 parts of hexamethylphosphortriamide is added slowly a solution of 10.5 parts of a-(p-chlorophenyl)-2-ethyl-imidazole-l-ethanol in 40 parts of hexamethylphosphortriamide. Upon completion, the Whole is warmed to 45 C. and stirred at this tem perature for one hour. After cooling again to 5 0., there are added 9.8 parts of 2,6-dichlorobenzylchloride and stirring is continued for 3 hours. Then 3 parts of water are added and the product is extracted three times with 120' parts of ether. The combined extracts are dried and a slight excess of nitric acid is added. The crystallized crude nitrate salt is filtered OE and recrystallized from a mixture of 2-propanol and diisopropylether (1:1), yielding 1 [p-chloro-fi (2,6 dichlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl]-2-ethylimidazole nitrate; m.p. 146 C.

B. By substituting an equivalent quantity of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl chloride in the foregoing procedure of this Example, there is obtained l-[p-chloro-fi-(2,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl] 2 ethylimidazole nitrate, m.p. 134.5 C.

EXAMPLE LVII The O-alkylation procedure of Example LVI is repeated, except that an equivalent amount of an appropriate alcohol obtained from Examples LII, LIII and LIV and an equivalent amount of an appropriate halide of the formula Y-(CH -Ar' are substituted therein as starting materials, to yield, as respective products, the following ethers of formula (I-b) in the form of a nitrate salt:

1- [2,4-dichloro-p- (o-methoxybenzyloxy) phenethyl] -2- methylimidazole;

1- [Z-methoxy-flp-methylb enzylb enzyloxy) phenethyl] -2- methylimidazole;

1- [p-chloro-fl- (p chlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] -2- methylimidazole;

1- [2-methoxy-flphenethyloxy) phenethyl] -2- methylimidazole;

1- [2- (o-chlorobenzyloxy) -2- 5- chloro-2-thieny1) ethyl] 2-methylimidazo1e;

1- p-chloro-B- p-fluorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] -2- ethylimid azole;

1- p-bromo-fl- (phenoxy) phenethyl]-2-ethylimidazole;

1- [Z-methyl-[i- (phenethyloxy phenethyl] -2- ethylimidazole 1- [2- (o-chlorobenzyloxy) -2- (Z-thienyl) ethyl] -2- ethylimidazole;

1- ,8- p-chlorob enzyloxy) -a,a-dimethylphenethyl] -2- ethylimidazole;

1- p-chloro-B- p-nitrophenoxy phenethyl] -2- ethylimidazole; and

1- [2,4-dichloro-p- (2,4-dinitrophenoxy) phenethyl] -2- ethylimidazole.

EXAM PLE LVIlI By substituting an equivalent amount of 1- [p-chloro-fl- (p-nitrophenoxy)phenethyl] 2 ethylimidazole in the nitro-to-amine reduction procedure of Example XLV, there is obtained as product l-[p-chloro-p-(p -aminophenoxy) phenethyl] -2-ethylimidazole.

EXAMPLE LIX The reductive amination procedure of Example XXVII is repeated, except that an equivalent amount of an appropriate ketone obtained from Examples XLIX, L and LI and an equivalent amount of an appropriate amine of the formula H N-(CH -Ar' are substituted therein as starting materials, to yield, as respective products, the following amines of formula (I-a) in the form of the dihydrochloride salt:

1- [2,4-dich1oro-{3- (p-methoxybenzylamino phenethyl] -2- methylimidazole;

1- [Z-methoxy-B- (phenethylamino phenethyl] -2- methylimidazole;

1- p-chloro-B- (0- chlorobenzylamino) phenethyl] -2- methylimidazole;

1- [2,4-dichloro- 3- p-methylbenzylamino phenethyl] -2- methylimid azole;

1- p-chloro-B- l-tetralinylamino )phenethyl] -2- methylimid azole;

1- [Z-methyl-B- (p-methoxybenzylamino) phenethyl] -2- ethylimidazole;

1- [p-bromo-B- phenethylamino phenethyl] -2- ethylimidazole;

1- [2- p-chlorobenzylamino) -2- (Z-thienyl) ethyl] -2- ethylimidazole;

1- [2- p-methylbenzylamino) -2- (5-chloro-2-thienyl) ethyl]-2-ethylimidazole; and

1- [,3- (phenethylamino -a,a-dimethylphenethyl] -2- ethylimidazole.

EXAMPLE LX The compositions according to this invention are employed in those forms which are customarily used for fungus or bacteria control, for example, as suspensions, dusting powders, solutions, ointments and the like. The following will further illustrate the invention, the parts being parts by weight unless otherwise specified:

(1) Suspension:

1 kg.-1-[B-(p-chlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole 2 l.technical xylene 350 ml.At1ox 4855 (surface active agenttrademark of Atlas Powder 00., Wilmington, Del.)

Waterdilute to desired concentration of active ingredient.

The l -(phlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole forms a stable aqueous suspension when dissolved in the xylene and emulsified by means of the surface active agent.

(2) Dusting powder: 20 Parts of 1-[2,4-dichloro-fl- (p-chlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole are ground with 360 parts of talcum in a ball mill, then 8 parts of olein are added and grinding is continued, and finally the mixture is mixed with 4 parts of slaked lime. The powder which is formed can be sprayed satisfactorily and has good adhesive power. 'It can be used for dusting or for plant protection purposes.

(3) Solution: 5 Parts of 1- [p-chloro-B-(2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole are dissolved in parts of alkylated naphthalene and used as a spray for the treatment of fungus-infected subjects or on walls, floors or other objects to prevent infection by fungi.

(4) Ointment: 10 parts of 1-[2,4-dichloro-;3-(2,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate are dissolved in a warm, liquefied mixture of 400 parts of polyethylene glycol 400 and 590 parts of polyethylene glycol 1500. The solution is stirred during cooling, and used as an ointment for treatment against fungi and bacteria.

EXAMPLE LXI A. 18.7 parts of 1-[2,4-dichloro-B-(2,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate are suspended in 300 parts of water. The suspension is alkalized with 5 parts of sodium hydroxide solution ION and shaken for 5 minutes. The liberated base is extracted with chloroform (successi'vely 115, 37.5 and 37.5 parts). The combined extracts are evaporated on a Water-bath; a yellow oil is obtained, which solidifies upon dilution with about 40 parts of petroleumether. The product is filtered off and dried for 16 hours at 50 C. in vacuo, yielding 1-[2,4 dichloro- B (2,4 dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole; m.p. 79.4 C.

B. 7.5 parts of 1-[2,4-dichloro-p-(p-chlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl]imidazole nitrate are alkalized with 3 parts of sodium hydroxide solution 10N and the free base is extracted with parts of chloroform. The organic phase 3 1 is dried, filtered and evaporated. The residue is dried in vacuo for 2 hours at 50 C. yielding l-[2,4-dichloro-B- (p-chlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole; m.p. 868 C.

EXAMPLE LXII To a suspension of 4.5 parts of sodium methoxide solution 30% in'lS parts of dimethylformamide and 16 parts of benzene are added 2 parts of imidazole. The solvent is distilled off till an internal temperature of 130 C. is reached. Then there is added a solution of 5.4 parts of a-(2-bromomethyl)-3,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol in 5.5 parts of benzene (temperature: 130 to 115 C.) and the solvent is distilled oif. The temperature is brought again to 130 C. and then cooled slowly to 40 C. Diisopropylether (32 parts) is added, followed by the addition of 50 parts of water and upon cooling, the product is crystallized; It is filtered off, washed with ether and boiled for a few minutes in a mixture of 25 parts of dimethylformamide and parts of water. The product is crystallized again at room temperature and separated, yielding a (3,4 dichlorophenyl)imidazole 1 ethanol; m.p. 148.7 C.

EXAMPLE LXIII To 4.5 parts of sodium methoxide solution 30% in 15 parts of dimethylformamide and 16 parts of benzene are added 2 parts of imidazole and the solvent is distilled off till a temperature of 130 C. is reached. Then there is added dropwise a solution of 5.4 parts of a-(bromomethyl)-2,6-dichlorobenzyl alcohol in 4 parts of benzene at a temperature of 125 C. Upon completion, the temperature is brought again to 130 C. The reaction mixture is cooled gradually to 40 C. and there are added successively 50 parts of water and 32 parts of diisopropylether, whereupon the product is crystallized. It is filtered ofi, washed with ether, triturated in ice-cold acetone and recrystallized from a mixture of dimethylformamide and water, yielding OL-(2,6 dichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol; m.p. 131.6 C.

EXAMPLE LXIV To a solution of 4.5 parts of sodium methoxide solution 30% in 16 parts of benzene and 15 parts of dimethylformamide are added 2 parts of imidazole. The solvent is distilled off till an internal temperature of 130 C. is reached. Then there is added dropwise a solution of 5.5 parts of a-(bromomethyl)-2,5-dichlorobenzyl alcohol in 12 parts of benzene, whereupon the temperature falls to 110 C. After addition is complete, the temperature is brought again to 130 C. to remove the solvent. The reaction mixture is cooled slowly to 50 C. and there are added 100 parts of Water and 40 parts of diisopropylether. On further cooling to room temperature, the product is crystallized. It is filtered off, washed successively with ether and acetone and recrystallized from a mixture of dimethylformamide and water (minimal quantities), yielding u-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol; m.p. 145.3 C.

EXAMPLE LXV To a stirred and cooled solution of 3.1 parts of m-chloroacetophenone in 8 parts of dry ether and 4 parts of dioxane is added dropwise 3.2 parts of bromine, while keeping the temperature below 5 C. Upon completion, thereis added dropwise a solution of 6.8 parts of imidazole in 8 parts of methanol (temperature: below 5 C.). The whole is stirred for 16 hours and then poured onto 100 parts of water, whereupon the product is crystallized. It is filtered off, taken up in a minimum of acetone and acidified with concentrated nitric acid. The precipitated nitrate salt is filtered off and recrystallized from ethanol, yielding 3'-chloro-2-(l-imidazolyl)acetophenone nitrate; m.p. 179.7 C. Conventional treatment with alkali affords the corresponding free base.

To a stirred and cooled (ice-bath) suspension of 6.6 parts of 3'-chloro-2-(1-imidazolyl)acetophenone in 20 parts of methanol are added portionwise 0.4 parts of sodium borohydride. Upon completion, stirring is continued first for one hour in an ice-bath and further for one hour at reflux temperature. The reaction mixture is acidified with hydrochloric acid and evaporated. The residue is taken up in parts of boiling water; cooled, alkalized with sodium hydroxide solution and upon cooling, the product is crystallized. It is filtered off, triturated in icecold acetone, filtered off again and recrystallized from dimethylformamide and water, yielding a-(m-chlorophenyl) imidazole-1-ethanol;m.p. 109.8 C.

EXAMPLE LXVI To a stirred and cooled (ice-bath) suspension of 10.2 parts of imidazole in 10 parts of dimethylformamide is added portionwise a solution of 6 parts of 2-bromo-4- chloro 2 methylpropiophenone (described in CA. 55, 442) in 10 parts of dimethylformamide at a temperature of 3-5 C. Upon completion, stirring is continued for 2 hours in an ice-bath. The cooling-bath is removed and the whole is stirred for 25 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture is poured onto 250 parts of water, whereupon the product is crystallized. It is filtered off and dissolved in acetone. The solution is acidified with a concentrated nitric acid solution. The precipitated salt is filtered off and recrystallized from ethanol, yielding 4'- chloro 2 (l-imidazolyl)isobutyrophenone nitrate; m.p. 178.2 C. Conventional treatment with alkali yields the corresponding free base.

To a stirred and cooled solution of 4.5 parts of 4'- chloro 2 (l-imidazolyl)isobutyrophenone in 12 parts of methanol are added portionwise 0.4 parts of sodium borohydride at a temperature of about 5 C. Upon completion, the whole is stirred first for 30 minutes in an icebath and then for another 30 minutes at reflux temperature. Hydrochloric acid is added till pH 3 and the whole is evaporated. The residue is taken up in 100 parts of boiling water and alkalized with sodium hydroxide solution. Upon cooling, the product is crystallized. It is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of dimethylformamide and water, yielding a-(p-chlorophenyl) 3,5 dimethylimidazole-l-ethanol; m.p. 187.5 C.

EXAMPLE LXVII To a warm (50 C.) suspension of 1.8 parts of sodium hydride 50% in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise a solution of 7.7 parts of cc-(3,4 dichlorophenyl) imidazole 1 ethanol in 10 parts of dimethylformamide. Upon completion, the whole is stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. Then there are added 7.8 parts of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl chloride and stirring at reflux is continued for 18 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and parts of ether are added. After stirring for 30 minutes, the ethereal phase is washed five times with water and acidified with concentrated nitric acid solution till pH 2. The precipitated solid nitrate salt is filtered off, triturated in cold acetone and filtered off again. The crude salt is taken up in a small amount of boiling methanol. About 4 parts of acetone are added, followed by the addition of diisopropylether till turbid. Upon cooling to room temperature, the crystallized salt is filtered off and dried, yielding 1 [3,4 dichloro B (2,4 dichlorobenzyloxy) phenyl]-imidazole nitrate; m.p. 142.2 C.

EXAMPLE LXVHI To a stirred and hot (50 C.) suspension of 1.8 parts of sodium hydride 50% in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise a solution of 7.7 parts of a-(3,4-dichloro- 3 3 washed five times with water. To the ethereal phase is added an excess of nitric acid till pH 3. The precipitated nitrate salt is filtered off, triturated in cold acetone, filtered off again and crystallized from a mixture of ethanol and acetone, yielding l-[3,4 dichloro p f (2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 158.2 C.

EXAMPLE LXIX 1- 3,4dichloro-fl- 3,4-dichlorobenzylozy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 149.9 C.;

1- [2,4-dichloro-p- 3,4-dichlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 177.6 C.;

1- [o-chloro-fi- 3 ,4-dichlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 140 C.;

1- [B- 3,4-dichlorobenzyloxy) -p-fiuorophenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 108 C.;

1- 3,4-dichloro-B- (p-chlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 138.1 C.;

1-[2,6-dichloro-B-(2,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 168.7 C.; I

1- [2,6-dichloro-[3- (2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 178.7 C.;

1- [2,6-dich1oro-flp-chlorobenzyloxy phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 144.6 C.;

l- [2,5 -dichloro-,B- p-chlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 178.5 C.;

1-[2,5-dichloro-p-(2,fi-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 203.6 C.;

1-[2,5-dichloro-B-(2,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 173.2 C.;

1- [2,5 -dichloro-B- 2,5-dichlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. l78.7 C.;

1- [B- (p tert-butylbenzyloxy) -2,4-dichlorophenethyl] imidazole nitrate,m.p. 135.6 C.; I

1- [2,4-dichloro-fip-cumenylmethoxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 133.7 C.;

1- [2,6-dichloro-fl- (p-methoxybenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 144.8 C.;

1- [p-chloro-B- (2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy) -a,a-dimethylphenethyl]imidazole nitrate, m.p. 172.3 C.;

1- [p-chloro-p- (p-fluorobenzyloxy -a,a-dimethylphenethyl]imidazole nitrate, m.p. 123.2 C.;

1- [p-chloro-fl- 2,4-dichlorobenzyloxy) -a,a-dimethylphenethyl]imidazole nitrate, m.p. 119.6 C.;

1- 3,chloro-,6- 2,4-dichlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 179.2 C.;

1- [m-chloro-fi- 2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate, m.p. 116.6 C.; and

1- [p-chlorop- (p-chlorobenzyloxy)-a,a-dimethylphen ethyl]imidazole nitrate, m.p. 101.1

EXAMPLE LXX To a stirred and cooled (5 C.) suspension of 6 parts of Z-bromo 2',4,6' trichloroacetophenone in 24 parts .of methanol are added 0.3 parts of sodium borohydride. Upon completion, the whole is stirred for one hour on an ice-bath, followed by stirring for 2 hours at' room ternperature. The mixture is cooled again to 5 C. and another portion of 0.3 parts of sodium borohydride are added portionwise. Upon completion, stirring is continued first for one hour in an ice-bath and then for one hour at room temperature. Finally, a third portion of 0.3 partsof sodium borohydride is added portionwise at 5 C. and the mixture is stirred for 30 minutes in an ice-bath and for 30 minutes at room terperature. Then there is added hydrochloric acid till pH 3 and the mixture is evaporated. The residue is taken up in 200 parts of boiling water and after cooling, the solution is extracted with tetrachloromethane. The organic phase is washed with water, dried over mag nesium sulfate and evaporated, yielding a-(bromomethyD- 2,4,6-trichlorobenzylalcohol. I

To a solution of 4.5 parts of sodium methoxide solution 30% in 15 parts of dimethylformamide and-l2 parts of benzene are. added 2 parts of imidazole. The solvent is distilled off until a temperature of C. is. reached. Then there is added a solution of 4.5 parts of a-(bromomethyll- 2,4,6-trichlorobenzylalcohol in 4 parts of benzene (temperature lowered from 130 C. to 116 C.), while the solvent is distilled off. The solvent is further removed by heating to 130 C. and the reaction mixture is cooled gradually to 40 C. Then there are added parts of water and 40 parts of diisopropylether and on further cooling, the product is crystallized. It is filtered ofi, triturated in ice-cold acetone and recrystallized from a mix ture of dirnethylformamide and water, yielding 0L-(2,4,6 trichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol; m.p. 151.8 C. 2:

EXAMPLE LXXI To a stirred and warm (50 C.) suspension of 1.8 parts of sodium hydride 50% in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added portionwise a solution of 8 parts of a-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)imidazole 1 ethanol in 10 parts of;v dimethylformamide. Upon completion, the whole is stirred at reflux temperature for 2 hours. Then there are added 7.8 parts of 2,4-dichlorobenzylchloride and stirring and refluxing is continued for 17 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, parts of ether are added and the whole is stirred for 15 miutes. The resulting solution is washed five times with water and acidified with concentrated nitric acid. The crystallized nitrate salt is filtered off, triturated in ice-cold acetone and recrystallized from a mixture of ethanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1[2,4,6- trichloro ,8 (2,4 dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyHimidazole nitrate; m.p. 162.9 C.

EXAMPLE LXXII A. To a stirred and warm (50 C) suspension of 1.8 partsYof sodium hydride 50% in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added portionwise a solution of 7 parts of lit-(2,4, 6-trichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol in 10 parts of dimethylformamide. Upon completion, stirring is continued at reflux for 2 hours. Then there are added 7.8 parts of 2, -6-dichlorobenzyl chloride and the whole is stirred and refluxed for 17 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, 160 parts of ether are added and the whole is stirred for 15 minutes. The solution is washed five times with water and acidified with concentrated nitric acid. The crystallized nitrate salt is filtered otf, triturated in ice-cold acetone and recrystallized from ethanol and diisopropylether yielding 1 [2,4,6 trichloro- -(2,6-dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl] imidazole nitrate; m.p. 18.3

B. The O-alkylation procedure of Example LXXII-A is followed except than an equivalent quantity of an appropriate halide is substituted therein as the alkylating agent to yieldthe following respective products:

1-[2,4,6-trichloro-fl-( benzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate;

1-[2,4,6-trichloro-p-(3,4-dimethylbenzyloxy)phenethyl] imidazole nitrate;

1- [2,4, 6-trichloro-B- (p-io doben-zyloxy phenethyl] I imidazole nitrate; and

1-[2,4,6-trichloro-fl-(p-cyanobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole nitrate.

EXAMPLE LXXIII To a stirred and warm suspension of 1.8 parts of sodium hydride 50% in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added portionwise a solution of 7.7 parts of oz-(2,4-di chlorophenyl)-imidazole-1-ethanol in 10 parts of dimethylformamide at 50 C. Upon completion, stirring is continued for 1h. 30 at reflux temperature. Then there are added 6.2 parts of 3,4-dimethylbenzyl chloride and stirring and refluxing is continued for another 15 hours. The reaction mixture is diluted with 160 parts of ether and stirred for 15 minutes. The solution is washed five times with water and acidified with an excess of concentrated nitric acid solutionfIhe crystallized salt i filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of ethanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1-[2,4-dichloro-;8-(3,4-dimethylbenzyloxy) phenethyl1imidazole nitrate; m.p. 138.2" C.

EXAMPLE LXXIV To a stirred and warm suspension of 1.8 parts of sodium hydride 50% in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added portionwise a solution of 7.7 parts of a-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol in parts of dimethylformamide at 50 C. Upon completion, stirring is continued for 2 hours at reflux temperature. Then there are added'l2 parts of p-iodobenzyl bromide and stirring and refluxing is continued for another 10 hours. The reaction mixture is diluted with 160 parts of ether and stirred for minutes. The solution is washed five times with water and acidified with an excess of concentrated nitric acid solution. The crystallized solid salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of ethanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1-[2,4-dichloro-fl-(p-iodobenzyloxy)phenethyl]-imidazole nitrate; m.p. 177.6 C.

EXAMPLE LXXV To a stirred and warm (50 C.) suspension of 1.8 parts of sodium hydride 50% in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added portionwise a solution of 7.7 parts of oc-(Z,4-dichlorophenyl)-imidazole-l-ethanol in 10 parts of dimethylformamide. Upon completion, stirring is continued for 2 hours at reflux temperature. Then there are added 8.24 parts of a-bromo-p-tolunitrile and stirring at reflux is continued for 10 hours. The reaction mixture is diluted with 160 parts of ether and stirred for 15 minutes. The solution is washed five times with water and acidified with a concentrated nitric acid solution. The crystallized salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of ethanol and diisopropylether, yielding a-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)- 2-(1-imidazolyl)ethoxy]-p-tolunitrile nitrate; m.p. 176.2 C.

, EXAMPLE LXXVI To a stirred and warm (50 C.) suspension of 1.8 parts of sodium hydride dispersion 50% in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added portionwise a solution of 7.7 parts of a-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol in 10 parts of dimethylformamide and the whole is stirred and refiuxed for 2 hours. Then there are added 9.2 parts of 2,3,4-trichlorobenzyl chloride and stirring at reflux is continued for another 16 hours. Ether (160 parts) is added and the solution is washed five times with water. The organic phase is acidified with a concentrated nitric acid solution, whereupon the nitrate salt is crystallized. It is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of ethanol and diisopropylether, yielding 1-[2,4-dichloro-,8-(2,3,4-' triohlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 180.5 C.

EXAMPLE LXXVII To a stirred and warm suspension (50 C.) of 1.8 parts of sodium hydride dispersion 50% in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added portionwise a solution of 7.7

parts of a-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)imidazole-l-ethanol in 10 parts of diamethylformamide and the whole is stirred and refluxed for 2h. 30. Then there are added 9.2 parts of 2,4,6-trichlorobenzyl chloride and stirring at reflux is continued for another 17 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and 160 parts of ether are added. Upon stirring for 15 minutes, the solutioniis washed five times with water and then acidified with an excess of concentrated nitric acid solution. The crystallized solid nitrate salt is filtered ofl, triturated in ice-cold acetone and recrystallized from ethanol and dissopropylether, yielding 1-[2,4-dichloro-p-(2,4,6-trichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]imidazole nitrate; m.p. 180.1 C.

EXAMPLE LXXVIII The procedures described in Example LXXIII through LXXVII illustrate a general O-alkylation technique which may be employed in preparing ethers of formula (I-b). Such ethers, obtained in the form of a nitrate salt, may be treated with alkali according to Example LXI to yield thecorresponding free base form. By following such procedures, except that equivalent amounts .of appropriate reactants are initially employed, the following respective products are obtained:

1- [13- 3,4-dimethylbenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole, l- 3- p-iodobenzyloxy -p-methylphenethyl] imidazole; l- [B- p-iodobenzyloxy -fl-methylphenethyl imid azole; lfl- 2-methoxy-4-nitrobenzyloxy) phenethyl] imidazole; lflp-cyanobenzyloxy -0-methoxyphenethyl] imid azole; 1 fl- (p-cyanobenzyloxy -p-chlorophenethyl] imidazole;

and 1- ,6- 2,3 ,4-trichlorobenzyloxy) -o-methylphenethyl] imidazole.

EXAMPLE LXXIX This example demonstrates a method of preparing those ketones of formula (II) obtained by the alkylation of 2-4(5)-dimethylimidazole and a halide of the formula YCR R COAr as the alkylating agent.

A. 177 parts of 2-bromo-4'-chloroacetophenone are added portionwise to a cooled mixture of 350 parts of 2,4-dimethy1imidazole in 700 parts of dimethylformamide (temperature between 5 and 15 (3.). Upon completion, the whole is stirred for 2 hours on ice and for one addi tional hour at room temperature. The reaction mixture is poured onto 6000 parts of water at 50 C. and the crystallized product is filtered ofi. It is washed successively with water, benzene and ether and then recrystallized from toluene, yielding 4'-chloro-2-(2,4-dimethyl-1-imidazolyl)acetophenone, m.p. 185.8 C.

B. By following the procedure of Example LXXIX-A, except that an equivalent quantity of an appropriate halide of the formula Y--CR R COAr is substituted for the 2-bromo-4'-chloroacetophenone used therein, the fol lowing ketones of formula (II) are obtained:

2-(2,4-dimethyl l-imidazolyl acetophenone; 4'-methyl-2- 2,4-dirnethyll-imidazolyl) acetophenone; 2'-methoxy-2 2,4-dimethyll-imidazolyl acetophenone; 2',4'-dichloro-2- (2,4-dimethyll-imidazolyl) acetophenone; and 2,4',6'-trichloro-2- (2,4-dimethyll-imidazolyl) acetophenone.

EXAMPLE LXXX A. 1.5 parts of sodium borohydride are added portionwise to a cooled mixture of 24.8 parts of 4-cl1loro-2- (2,4-dimethyl-l-imidazolyl)acetophenone in 120 parts of methanol at 5 C. Upon completion, stirring is continued for one hour on ice and one hour at reflux temperature. Then parts of methanol are evaporated off and to the residue are added 200 parts of water. The aqueous phase is acidified to pH 2 and refluxed for 10 minutes. The solution is basified again and 80 parts of diisopropylether are added. Upon seeding and cooling, the product, u-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,4-dimethylimidazole 1 ethanol, is crystallized. It is filtered olf and recrystallized from a mixture of 8 parts of toluene and 24 parts of diisopropylether, m.p. 128.8 C.

B. In accordance with the procedure of Example LXXX-A, each of the ketones obtained in Example LXXIX are reduced to the corresponding alcohol of formula (V). s

' EXAMPLE LXXXI A. To a stirred and-hot (50 C.) solution of 2 parts of sodium hydride 50% in 45 parts of tetrahydroiuran are added portionwise 10.04 parts of a-(p-chlorophenyD- 2,4-dimethylimidazole-l-ethanol. Upon completion, the whole is stirred and refluxed for one hour. Then there are added parts of 2,4-dichlorobenzyl chloride and stirring at reflux temperature is continued for 18 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and 240 parts of ether are added. The organic phase is washed four times with water, dried and acidified with an excess of concentrated nitric acid solution. The crystallized nitrate salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of 24 parts of ethanol and 160 parts of diisopropylether, yielding l-[pchloro-B- (2,4 dichlorobenzyloxy)phenethyl]-2,4-dimethylimidazole nitrates; xn.p. 145.1 C.

B. By repeating the O-alkylation procedure of Example LXXXI-A using an equivalent quantity of each of the alcohols obtained in Example LXXX-B as the alkylating agent, the corresponding 2,4-dimethylimidazole ethers of formula (I-b) are obtained.

EXAMPLE LXXXII The reductive amination procedure of Example XXVII is repeated except that an equivalent quantity of the appropriate ketone obtained in Example LXXIX and an equivalent amount of an appropriate amine of formula (III) are substituted therein as starting materials to yield, as respective products, the following imidazole amines of formula (I-a) in acid addition salt form by conventional treatment with the particular acid indicated:

1- B-anilinophenethyl) -2,4-dimethylimidazole dihydrochloride;

1- (B-phenethylamino phenethyl -2,4-dimethylimidazole dinitrate;

1- [,B- l-tetralinylamino -phenethyl] -2,4-dimethylimidazole dinitrate;

1 p-chl0r0-fl (p-methoxybenzylamino) phenethyl] -2,4-

dimethylimidazole dihydrochloride;

1- [p-chloro-B-(p-methylbenzylamino phenethyl] -2,4-

dimethylimidazole dihydrochloride;

1- [p-methyl-fl- (o-chlorobenzylamino phenethyl] -2,4-

dimethylimidazole dinitrate;

1- (fl-benzylamino-o-methoxyphenethyl -2,4-dimethylimidazole dinitrate;

1- (fi-phenethylamino-0,p-dich1orophenethyl) -2,4-

dimethylimidazole dinitrate; and

1- fl-benzylamino-om,p-trichlorophenethyl -2,4-

dimethylimidazole dinitrate.

EXAMPLE LXXXIII To a stirred and hot (60-80" C.) solution of 155 parts of p-chloro-acetophenone in 250 parts of propylene glycol are added dropwise 160 parts of bromine and the Whole is further stirred overnight. The reaction mixture is poured onto diluted sodium hydroxide solution and the product is extracted with benzene. The extract is dried and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue is distilled, yielding 220 parts of oily 2-(bromomethyl)-2- (p-chlorophenyl)-4- methyl-1,3-dioxolane; b.p. 131-133 C. at 1.25 mm. pressure. On triturating the distillate in 400 parts of 2-propanol while cooling, the oil solidifies. It is filtered off and recrystallized from 2-propanol, yielding 2- (bromomethyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane; m.p. 71 C.

EXAMPLE LXXXIV 37.8 parts of methyl-Z-thienyl-ketone are brominated with 48 parts of bromine in 48 parts of dioxane and 96 parts of dry ether, while cooling and stirring. The solvent is removed in vacuo. To the residue is added 60 parts of ethylene glycol in 160 parts of toluene and a few crystals of p-toluenesulfonic acid. The whole is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a watertrap for hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and the toluene layer is separated, washed once with potassium carbonate solution and once with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue is distilled in vacuo from potas- 38 sium carbonate, yielding 2-(brornomethyl)-2-(2-thienyl)- 1,3-dioxolan; b.p. C. at 0.6 mm. pressure.

EXAMPLE LXXXV 46.2 parts of o-chloro-acetophenone are brominated with 48 parts of bromine in 48 parts of dioxane and 96 parts of dry ether, while cooling and stirring. The solvent is removed in vacuo. To the residue is added 60 parts of ethylene glycol in 160 parts of toluene and a few crystals of p-toluenesulfonic acid. The whole is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a watertrap for 15 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and the toluene layer is separated, washed once with potassium carbonate solution and once with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue is distilled in vacuo from potassium carbonate, yielding 2-(bromomethyl)-2-(ochlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan; b.p. C. at 0.8 mm. pressure.

EXAMPLE LXXXVI 160 parts of bromine are added portionwise to 133 parts of o-methyl-acetophenone in 250 parts of ethylene glycol at a temperature between 6080 C. Then there are added 800 parts of benzene and water is distilled 0E azeotropically (18 hours). The reaction mixture is poured onto diluted sodium hydroxide solution and the product is extracted three times with benzene. The combined organic phases are washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue is distilled, yielding 2-(bromomethyl)-2- (o-tolyl)-1,3-dioxolane; b.p. 113- 115 C. at 0.8 mm. pressure.

EXAMPLE LXXXVH 160 parts of bromine are added portionwise to 133 parts of p-methylacetophenone in 250 parts of ethylene glycol at a temperature between 60-80 C. Then there are added 800 parts of benzene and water is distilled off azeotropically (18 hours). The reaction mixture is poured onto diluted sodium hydroxide solution and the product is extracted with benzene. The extract is dried, filtered and evaporated. The oily residue is distilled, yielding 2- (bromomethyl)-2-(p-tolyl)-1,3-dioxolane; b.p. 135-137 C. at 2.5 mm. pressure.

EXAMPLE LXXXVIH To a cooled (5-10 C.) solution of parts of mmethoxyacetophenone in 320 parts of ether and 200 parts of dioxane are added dropwise parts of bromine. After the addition is complete, 250 parts of ethylene glycol are added and the solvents are removed till an internal temperature of 150 C. is reached. Then 800 parts of benzene are added and water is distilled oflf azeotropically (18 hours). The reaction mixture is poured onto diluted sodium hydroxide solution and the product is extracted three times with benzene. The combined extracts are washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue is distilled in vacuo, yielding 2-(bromomethyl) 2-(m-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxolane; b.p. 145155 C. at 1.4 mm. pressure. After trit uration of the distillate in 2-propanol, solid 2-(bromomethyl) -2- (m-methoxy-phenyl)-1,3-dioxolane is obtained, which is recrystallized from 2-propanol; m.p. 61 C.

EXAMPLE 'LXXXIX To a stirred and hot (60-80" C.) solution of 42 parts of 2,5-dichloro-acetophenone in 70 parts of ethylene glycol are added dropwise 11 parts of bromine. After the addition is complete, there are added 800 parts of ben-' zene and water is distilled oif azeotropically (18 hours). The reaction mixture is poured onto diluted sodium hydroxide solution and the product is extracted with benzene. The extract is washed with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue is distilled, yielding oily 2-(bromomethyl)-2-(2,5-dichloroprenyl)-1,3- dioxolane; b.p. 143-145 C. at 1 mm. pressure. The distillate is poured onto 80 parts of 2-propanol and, on

39 triturating, the product solidifies. It is filtered ofi and recrystallized from 2 propanol, yielding 2 (bromomethyl) 2 (2,5-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane; m.p. 61.5 C.

EXAMPLE XC To a stirred and hot (GO-80 C.) solution of 133 parts of m-methylacetophenone in 250 parts of ethylene glycol are added dropwise 160 parts of bromine and the whole is further stirred overnight. The reaction mixture is poured onto diluted sodium hydroxide solution and the product is extracted with benzene. The extract is dried and evaporated in vacuo. The residue is triturated with 400 parts of 2-propanol. The product is filtered off again and recrystallized from 2-propanol, yielding 2-(bromomethyl)- 2-(m-tolyl)-1,3-dioxolane; m.p. 59 C.

EXAMPLE XCI 89.4 parts of 2,3,4-trichloroacetophenone are brominated with 64 parts of bromine in 96 parts of dioxane and 200 parts of dry ether, while cooling and stirring. The solvent is removed in vacuo. To the residue is added 120 parts of ethylene glycol in 320 parts of toluene and a few crystals of p-toluenesulfonic acid. The whole is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with watertrap for hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and the toluene layer is separated, washed once with potassium carbonate solution and once with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue is distilled in vacuo from potassium carbonate, yielding a distillate boiling at 152 C. at 1 mm. pressure. This distillate solidifies on triturating in 2-propanol. The solid product is filtered off and recrystallized from 2-propanol, yielding 2-(bromomethyl) 2 (2,3,4-trichlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane; m.p. 59.5 C.

EXAMPLE XCII To a stirred and hot (6080 C.) solution of 150 parts of o-methoxyacetophenone in 250 parts of ethylene glycol are added dropwise 160 parts of bromine and the whole is further stirred overnight. The reaction mixture is poured onto diluted sodium hydroxide solution and the product is extracted with benzene. The extract is dried and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue solidifies on triturating in 480 parts of 2-propanol. The solid product is filtered otf and the mother-liquor is evaporated in vacuo. The combined fractions (solid product and residue) are recrystallized from 2-propanol, to yield 2-(bromomethyl)- 2-(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxolane; m.p. 99100 C.

EXAMPLE XCIH 46.2 parts of m-chloro-acetophenone are brominated with 48 parts of bromine in 48 parts of dioxan and 96 parts of dry ether, While cooling and stirring. The solvent is removed in vacuo. To the residue is added 60 parts of ethylene glycol in 160 parts of toluene and a few crystals of p-toluenesulfonic acid. The Whole is stirred and refluxed in an apparatus equipped with a watertrap for 15 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and the toluene layer is separated, washed once with potassium carbonate solution and once with water, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuO. The oily residue is distilled in vacuo from potassium carbonate, yielding Z-bromomethyl- Z-(m-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan; b.p. 149 C. at 0.2 mm. pressure.

EXAMPLE XCIV 138 parts of p-fluoroacetophenone in 330 parts of ethylene glycol are brominated with 160 parts of bromine at a temperature between 75 and 80 C., while stirring. Then there are added 400 parts of benzene and a small quantity of p-toluenesulfonic acid and the whole is stirred and refluxed for 15 hours, while water is removedazeo- 40 tropically by means of a watertrap. The benzene layer is separated from the ethylene glycol phase, washed with potassium carbonate solution, dried, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The oily residue is distilled, yielding oily 2-(bromomethyl)-2-(p-fiuorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane; b.p. 114 C. at 0.3 mm. pressure.

The distillate solidifies on standing at room temperature. After recrystallization from methanol, solid 2- (bromornethyl)-2-(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolane are obtained; m.p. 50 C.

EXAMPLE XCV To a solution of 23 parts of sodium in 600 parts of ethanol are added 154 parts of ethyl S-methylimidazole- 4 carboxylate. Then 440 parts of ethanol are evaporated off and to the warm residue are added 1600 parts of 2-diisopropylether. Upon cooling, the sodium salt is precipitated. It is filtered off, yielding the sodium salt of ethyl 5-methylimidazole-4-carboxylate.

A mixture of 17.7 parts of ethyl 5-methylimidazole-4- carboxylate, sodium salt, 35 parts of 2-bromomethy1-2- (p-chlorophenyl)-l,3-dioxolan [described in Patel, A. R., J. Pharm. Sci., 52(6), 588-592 (1963)], 22.5 parts of potassium iodide, 30 parts of dimethylformamide and 4 parts of toluene is stirred and refluxed for 12 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and 400 parts of ether are added. The organic phase is washed three times with water, dried and an excess of concentrated nitric acid is added. The precipitated nitrate salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of 40 parts of absolute ethanol and 400 parts of diisopropylether, yielding ethyl l- [Z-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl]-5 methylimidazole-4-carboxylate nitrate; m.p. 130.3 C.

A mixture of 2 parts of ethyl l-[2-p-chlorophenyl)- 1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl]-5-methylimidazole-4 carboxylate nitrate and 7.5 parts of sodium hydroxide solution ION is stirred and refluxed for 15 minutes. Then 20 parts of water are added, followed by the addition of 4.5 parts of acetic acid, whereupon the product is precipitated. It is filtered off and recrystallized from parts of ethanol, yielding 1-[2-(p chlorophenyl) 1,3 dioxolan 2- ylmethyl]-5-methylimidazole 4 carboxylic acid; mp. 258.3 C.

To 40 parts of parafiin oil are added portionwise 25 parts of 1-[2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl] S-methylimidazole-4-carboxylic acid at 250 C. The mixture is heated to 270 0, till no more carbon dioxide is evolved. The reaction mixture is cooled and 240 parts of ether are added. The solution is filtered and to the filtrate is added an excess of concentrated nitric acid solution. The precipitated nitrate salt is filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of 120 parts of ethanol and 340 parts of diisopropyl ether, yielding 1-[2-(p-chlorophenyl)-l,3- dioxolan-Z-ylmethyl] 5 methylimidazole nitrate; m.p. l53.6 C.

A mixture of 13 parts of 1-[2-(p-chlorophenyl)-l,3- dioxolan-2-ylmethyl]-5-methylimidazole, parts of acetic acid and 50 parts of dilute hydrochloric acid is stirred and refluxed for 18 hours. The solvents are evaporated otf and to the residue is added successively 100 parts of water and an excess of sodium hydroxide, whereupon the product, 4-chloro-2-(5-methyl 1 imidazolyl)acetophenone, is precipitated. It is filtered OE and recrystallized from dimethylformamide 10% (50 parts), yielding 6.5 parts of 4-chloro2-(5-methyl-1 imidazolyl)acetophenone; m.p. 123 C.

EXAMPLE XCVI The procedure of Example XCV demonstrates a method of preparing the S-methylimidazolyl ketones of formula (II). By repeating such procedure, except that an equivalent quantity of each of the dioxolan derivatives obtained in Examples LXXXIV through XCIV is substituted for the 2-bromomethyl-2- (p-chlorophenyl)-1,3 dioxolan used 

1. A COMPOSITION FOR COMBATTING FUNGI AND BACTERIA COMPRISING AN INERT CARRIEER AND AS AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT AN EFFECTIVE ANTI-FUNGAL OR ANTI-BACTERIAL AMOUNT OF A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A 1-(B-ARYL) ETHYLIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVE HAVING THE FORMULA: 